MANILA, Philippines—Two days before the New Year, two public hospitals in Valenzuela City have already recorded eight cases of revelry-related injuries in the period from Dec. 21.
But Ahna Mejia, chief public information officer, told the INQUIRER that the overall figures recorded in all the city hospitals so far were “not that much.”
During previous New Year celebrations, she said that by Jan. 1, there were already 31 reported revelry-injuries in the city.
Although it was too early to say if the figures for this coming New Year would reach or exceed the last year’s toll, she expressed optimism that the city’s information campaign against the use of firecrackers would yield a positive effect.
In Valenzuela General Hospital, four cases of firecracker injuries were reported by hospital officials.
Elaine Catacutan, nurse at the hospital’s emergency room, told the INQUIRER that the victims were rushed to the hospital on Padriga St. in Barangay Karuhatan in the period from Dec. 21 to 26.
“Two of them were minors, the other two of age,” Catacutan explained.
She refused to reveal the names of the patients, citing an order from the hospital management.
Catacutan, however, said that most of the injuries required only minimal treatment, with three of the four patients being discharged on the same day they were rushed to the hospital.
“A 34-year-old man had an ear injury caused by a Baby Rocket. He was taken here on Dec. 25, but did not have to be confined,” she explained.
The same was true for a 19-year-old male, who had a blast injury, and an 8-year-old boy whose right hand was burnt by a Five Star.
The worst case recorded, Catacutan said, was that of a 7-year-old, who had to be referred to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila because a piccolo exploded near his right eye.
“If the injuries involve the eye, nose or tongue, we usually refer them there,” Catacutan said.
Gloria Hortelano, supervisor of the Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital in Barangay Polo, said eight cases of holiday revelry-related incidents have also been recorded.
The patients, whose ages ranged from nine to 18 years, were rushed to the hospital in the period from Dec. 26 to Dec. 30.
Three of the patients, Hortelano said, were minors, two nine-year-olds and a 13-year-old boy.
One of the nine-year-olds, she said, was injured by the unsafe piccolo.
Mejia admitted that, as far as she knew, there were no designated firecracker zones in the city, but she was quick to add that the local government was strict in enforcing the prohibitions set forth by the national government when it comes to selling firecrackers.
Under Republic Act 7183, only the baby rocket, “bawang,” small “triangulo,” string poppers, paper cups, El Diablo, sky rocket (kwitis), and others of the same explosive content are allowed.
The only pyrotechnic devices that can be sold, manufactured and distributed are fountain, jumbo, airwolf, whistle device, “mabuhay,” Roman candle, “trompillo,” sparklers, “luces” and butterfly, among others.
“Only those can be sold in stalls. To ensure that this (directive) is not violated, we conduct inspections,” Mejia said.
She added that before the 12 firecracker stalls, as of Dec. 20, were given permits by the Business Processing and Licensing Office, their locations have been inspected by the Philippine National Police to ensure that they are safe for pyrotechnic devices.