The Department of Health (DOH) has called on the Philippine National Police to be more vigilant in keeping the public safe from exploding firecrackers, especially during the New Year revelry.
“This is in order to keep bystanders, or those going to and from their houses, safe from accidents due to firecrackers,” Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said.
As of Friday morning, the DOH has recorded 22 cases of fireworks-related injuries since Dec. 21.
Although the figure was 35 percent lower compared to last year, Domingo said that they were also hoping the police would improve their monitoring of the sale of illegal firecrackers, particularly since nine of the recorded injuries were due to the use of prohibited pyrotechnics.
This would likewise ensure that these would be kept out of reach of children. —Jovic Yee