Firecrackers INQUIRER PHOTO
President Benigno Aquino III in his New Year’s message called on Filipinos to refrain from using firecrackers to usher in 2012.
“Now that our situation is becoming better, would you still use firecrackers with the names Goodbye Philippines o Goodbye Universe?” President Aquino said.
“Wouldn’t it be better to welcome the new year with ‘goodbye kapahamakan (danger)’ and ‘hello pagbabago (change)’?” he added.
“I face you now with this request. Let us all welcome the new year with noise—not from firecrackers—but from our collective shout for a rousing and safe celebration,” President Aquino said.
Safe methods
President Aquino suggested that Filipinos just gather in parks and plazas to watch fireworks displays by local government units and the private sector.
“We can also make noise by using… horns and loud music. These are safe methods,” President Aquino said.
President Aquino said last year’s New Year’s revelry caused injuries to 1,202 due mostly to the use of firecrackers, indiscriminate firing of gun and poisoning. The Chief Executive said he is fully supporting the Department of Health in its APIR campaign (Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction).
“The objective is to minimize the injuries and victims of fire during the celebration of the new year; to introduce a new way of celebration,” President Aquino said.
Decline in cases
The Department of Health (DOH) has so far monitored over 100 injuries from the use of firecrackers across the country in the last six days, noting a decline of cases from the same period last year.
According to the DOH, as of early morning Tuesday, 113 firecracker-related injuries were reported to the health agency by at least 50 hospitals across the country. Of these number, seven cases were caused by stray bullets and one by firecracker poisoning.
Most of these cases—63 percent—were in Metro Manila, said the DOH in its daily report that began on December 21. More than half involved children between 1 to 10 years old.
At least 71 percent of these firecracker-related mishaps were caused by illegal fireworks, particularly by the “piccolo,” a cheap firecracker.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona has repeatedly advised Filipino households to shun the use of firecrackers to greet the New Year.
Environment Secretary Ramon Paje also appealed to the public to refrain from using firecrackers because they pollute the environment.
He sought the help of parents and grandparents to prevent children from exploding firecrackers.
Health hazards
Air pollution is a health hazard, particularly for children and senior citizens because of their fragile health condition, Paje said. “This is the reason I am calling on parents and grandparents for their support because in our culture, we always accede to the wisdom and “pakiusap” of our parents and grandparents,” he added.
The Environment Secretary said fireworks and firecrackers emit thousands of tons of noxious gases in the air, which undermines the DENR’s campaign to clean Metro Manila’s atmosphere. With a report by Kristine Alave