DOH: 2 hurt in firecracker-related incidents in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY — Days before Christmas day, two persons were injured in separate firecracker-related incidents in the Bicol region during the weekend, the Department of Health (DOH) Bicol said Monday.

Samuel Banico, coordinator of the Violence and Injury Prevention Program of DOH Bicol, said a 41-year-old man from Jose Panganiban town in Camarines Norte province was injured in his right hand from a five-star firecracker that exploded on Saturday.

On Sunday, a 14-year-old girl suffered minor burns on her left hand after using lucis in Ligao City in Albay province.

Banico said they were expecting a lower number of firecracker-related injuries this year because of their intensified campaign and possible bad weather condition due to Tropical Storm “Ursula.”

“We hope the cases will decrease because of the weather condition, but we appeal to public to totally avoid firecrackers,” Banico said.

In 2018, the cases decreased to 24 compared to 65 firecracker-related injuries 2017.

Ariel Zamudio, weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration Southern Luzon, said Sorsogon and Masbate would experience moderate to heavy rains, and light rains in other provinces in the region.

Fire Inspector Aramis Aristhedes Balde, information officer of the Bureau of Fire Protection Bicol said they were in strict monitoring of the use of regulated firecrackers, especially in designated selling areas.

“The BFP recommends the use of ‘torotot’ (hornpipe) instead of firecrackers for the new year,” he said.

Edited LZB