DOH Eastern Visayas notes 13% decline in firecracker-related injuries

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PNA) -– Injuries from holiday revelries in Eastern Visayas posted a 13 percent decline this year as less people ignited firecrackers, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday.

DOH Eastern Visayas assistant regional director Paula Paz Sydiongco said in a press briefing that firecracker-related injuries in the region have decreased to 98 this year from 113 a year ago.

However, the health department reported that fingers of three children were amputated after igniting piccolo. Four victims also suffered eye injuries.

Majority or 79 percent of cases were injured due to piccolo ignited by children below 11 years old. The youngest victim is three years old and oldest is 57.

There was no single victim of stray bullet during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Most cases are minor blasts.

“Our Iwas Paputok campaign was successful, but we are concern that there are still injuries from firecrackers and fireworks banned by the government,” Sydiongco said, citing final holiday monitoring reports.

Of the 98 injuries, 46 were reported in Northern Samar, 27 in Leyte, 16 in Eastern Samar, six in Samar, two in Biliran, and one in Southern Leyte.

“We believe that there were more victims in Northern Samar because the province is closer to manufacturers in Luzon. Firecrackers are being transported by land,” she added.

The government has launched its monitoring of Christmas and New Year revelries on Dec. 16, 2016 and concluded on Jan. 5, 2017. (PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO