BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—A spectacular fireworks display that marked the start of the summer capital's centennial celebrations on Wednesday provided the glitter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's low-key New Year revelry at the presidential mansion here.
Unlike in previous New Year's Eve celebrations, the revelry on Wednesday counted only 162 casualties in Central and Northern Luzon, one of the lowest in recent history.
No casualty was reported in Olongapo after the city government banned the manufacture, sale, possession and use of firecrackers.
In Baguio, where Arroyo and her family spent the holidays since December 26, only seven people were injured.
Pangasinan topped the list of casualties with 43, followed by Bulacan, 33; Nueva Ecija, 17; Tarlac, 15; Pampanga, 13; Angeles City, 9; Isabela, 9; Bataan, 8; Zambales, 4; Cagayan, 3; and Aurora, 1.
In Isabela, two persons in Ilagan town were hurt by a wayward firecracker while seven people in Cauayan City were treated for finger injuries.
In Cagayan, three firecracker-related incidents were reported in Tuguegarao City and Tuao town.
A 10-year-old girl was hit by a stray bullet on the right side of her face in San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan while two others were reported to have been hit by stray bullets in Ilagan and Tuao. All three victims were declared out of danger.
Children remained vulnerable to firecracker accidents. The most serious case was reported in Pangasinan. Jeffrey Malong, 10, of Sta. Barbara town, lost his hands and right eye after he picked up an unexploded firecracker and blew it.
Jomar Loresco, 7, of Managaog town, and Jun Cruz, 11, of San Jacinto town, both lost a hand each when they picked up unexploded firecrackers and re-lit them.
In Baguio, a resident tried to promote an anti-firecracker campaign by flying kites.
Dr. Delfin Pilones launched three giant kites, emblazoned with "Happy New Year" greetings. The largest kite measured 20 feet wide. Pilones said he wanted to engage people in less damaging ways of greeting the New Year.
