The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported a total of 191 fireworks-related injuries from its “Iwas Paputok 2017” monitoring period from December 21, 2017 to January 1, 2018.
Most of the injuries are from the National Capital Region (NCR) at 115, or 60 percent of the cases, followed by Western Visayas at 15 cases; Central Luzon, Region 4A and Bicol region all have 13 cases each.
“We are relatively pleased. Relatively because there are still injuries. But pleased because of the substantial reduction or decrease on fireworks-related injuries from December 21, 2017 to January 1, 2018, compared to the same period of the previous year [which is] also 77 percent lower than the five-year 2012-to- 2016 [period],” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.
Manila had the most number at 63 cases; followed by Quezon City, 14; Pasig City, 11; and Valenzuela City, six.
Piccolo remains as the top fireworks-causing injury at 94 cases, which accounts for 49 percent of the total cases, followed by kwitis at 14 cases or 7 percent, and unknown firecrackers at 6 percent.
The majority, or 160, or 84 percent, of the cases were males. Age cases ranged from 11 months to 96 years old. About 64 percent, 123 cases, were active users and about 77 percent, 148 cases, occurred in the streets.
The majority, or 162, or 85 percent, of cases sustained blast injuries without amputation; 25 cases, or 13 percent, had eye injuries; and seven, or 4 percent, had blast injuries with amputation.
Duque noted that, overall, the government’s campaign against fireworks had reduced the number of injuries.
“The DOH is grateful for the strong cooperation of our local government units and other government agencies for this success,” the health chief said, as he also thanked President Duterte for signing Executive Order 28, which reinforced the efforts of the DOH and other concerned agencies, such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police and EcoWaste Coalition, among others.