The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reminded families that fireworks are not toys, as it reported new injuries, including two teenagers who lost their fingers.
In its latest case bulletin, the DOH reported 23 new fireworks-related injuries, bringing the total so far to 75.
“The new cases include two new amputations, both involving the illegal Pla-pla lit by male teenagers who lost their fingers,” the DOH said. “One amputation case yesterday was misreported, hence the total number of amputations this season is now six.”
The DOH reminded the public that parents and older siblings should set an example for the young men in their families to ensure that every family member has complete hands and fingers.
Most of the victims, between 6 and 55 years old, are male, and 96 percent of the incidents happened at home or on the streets, and about 60 percent involved illegal firecrackers.
Under the Philippine National Police list the prohibited firecrackers are Watusi, Piccolo, Poppop, Five Star, Pla-pla, Lolo Thunder, Giant Bawang, Giant Whistle Bomb, Atomic Bomb, Super Lolo, Atomic Triangle, Goodbye Bading, Large-size Judas Belt, Goodbye Philippines, Goodbye Delima, Bin Laden, Hello Columbia, Mother Rockets, Goodbye Napoles, Coke-in-Can, Super Yolanda, Pillbox, Mother Rockets, Boga, Kwiton, Kabasi, all overweight and oversized firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, all imported finished products, and other unlabeled, locally made firecrackers.
Most of the reported firecracker-related injuries—about 30 percent to 40 percent—were in Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos said that former President Rodrigo Duterte had already banned firecrackers in 2017 through Executive Order No. 28.
She said the administration—headed by her brother, President Marcos—is obligated to implement and strengthen the EO.
“Until there is another order from the Executive that supersedes EO 28-2017, the administration has to implement it,” Senator Marcos said. “There is good wisdom behind the EO.”
She said misuse of firecrackers can quickly turn a celebration into a medical emergency or even a tragedy. “Let us welcome the new year with our fingers, limbs, and lives intact,” she said.
Also on Wednesday, the Taguig City government announced it has designated at least 17 areas in the city as firecracker zones for the New Year celebration.
The identified firecracker zones in District 1 were at the back of Barangay Hall, Purok 1 Dingguin Bayan Open Court and Purok 2 Bantayan in Barangay Palingon; Open Basketball Court in Kentucky Street, and Mahogany Place 2 Block 3 Lot 2 & 4 San Dimas Street in Barangay Bambang; Barangay Road and along Guerrero Street in Barangay Wawa; Victoria Compound Basketball Court in St. Michael and Open Basketball Court near Barangay Hall in San Miguel; Lakeshore Hall Parking Area in Barangay Lower Bicutan; Open Area in front of CP Sta. Teresa Elementary School or Open Area at the back of Barangay Hall in Bagumbayan; Hagonoy Sports Complex Parking Area (Quadrangle); Samama (Dulo) Open Area in Purok 5 extension Tabing Ilog, and Purok 5 (in front of Jelly Port) in Barangay Napindan; and along JP Rizal Street in Tuktukan.
A no-firecracker zone was declared in Barangays Ligid-Tipas, New Lower Bicutan, Sta. Ana, Ususan, Ibayo-Tipas and Calzada.
In District 2, the designated areas were Lakefront in South Daang Hari; Osano Park in Central and Upper Bicutan; 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City (Organized Event only; no use of firecrackers by individuals is allowed in Fort Bonifacio; Open space of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), 7th Street in Katuparan Village; and Zone 8 cor. Ballecer Street in front of Em’s Elementary School, and Zone 9 cor. Ballecer Street in front of Signal Village National High School in Central Signal.
A no-firecracker zone was declared in North Daang Hari, North Signal, Pinagsama, South Signal, Tanyag, Western Bicutan, and Maharlika.
Section 2 of the City Ordinance states that “it shall be unlawful for any person to distribute, discharge, explode, or cause to discharge or to explode any firecrackers, pyrotechnic device, or any such other similar device outside the designated firecracker zones.”
City officials reminded residents that violators will be penalized with a P5,000 fine or three to six months in jail.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. has urged local government units (LGUs) to enforce ordinances prohibiting harmful firecrackers to ensure community safety and reduce pyrotechnics-related injuries before and during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
At least 1,210 LGUs already have ordinances banning the use of harmful firecrackers in their respective localities.
Abalos commended the 35 LGUs that have complied with his recent call to pass ordinances on the same, saying that this will ensure a safe and injury-free celebration for their constituents.
He said to attain their target of safe and injury-free festivities, LGUs must see to it that the provisions of the ordinances are implemented down to the grassroots level.
