By Ma. Teresa Montemayor | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) reported a safer New Year celebration for Filipinos as there were only 85 fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) as of 6:00 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 1), 11% lower than the 2021 tally of 96.
The tally is likewise 75% lower than the average 336 FWRIs in the last five years.
“Ngunit ang mga bilang ng kaso ay maaaring tumaas sa mga susunod na araw dahil sa mga huling reports at consultations (But the number of cases may increase in the coming days due to late reports and consultations),” DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III said during a press briefing at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City.
The DOH data showed 36% of the injuries are in the National Capital Region (NCR), followed by Region 6 (Western Visayas) at 15%, and Region 1 (Ilocos Region) at 13%.
Sixty-four cases or 75% of the 85 total involved males aged 2 to 56 years.
Ten cases or 12% suffered blast or burn injuries requiring amputation, 52 or 61% had blast or burn injuries not requiring amputation, 25 or 29% had eye injuries, and other cases sustained multiple types of injuries.
There were no reports yet of fireworks ingestion, stray bullet injury, or death.
“Karamihan ng mga nasugatan ay mga passing or bystanders lamang sa 58%. Nasa 38% ng mga kaso ay mula sa mga ipinagbabawal na paputok at nangunguna dito ang boga (bamboo cannon), kasunod ang Five Star at Piccolo (Most of the cases were passing or bystanders only at 58%. Cases due to illegal fireworks are at 38%, and first on the list is boga, followed by Five Star and Piccolo),” Duque said. (PNA) -ag
