Herbosa wants designated fireworks display areas for everyone’s safety

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa during a press conference for “iwas paputok” campaign at the East Avenue Medical Center, Quezon City on December 30, 2023. | INQUIRER.net / Arnel Tacson

MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Monday pushed for the establishment of designated community fireworks display areas during New Year’s eve celebrations, citing health and environmental hazards associated with the individual use of fireworks.

According to Herbosa, the tradition of lighting firecrackers on New Year’s Eve cannot be easily changed, but other cities have already been implementing a total firecracker ban in previous years.

“Maganda rin ma-develop natin ‘yung program ng community fireworks—community-led fireworks—para ‘yung mga tao mag-enjoy ng walang danger,” he said in a media forum.

(It’s also good to develop a community fireworks program—community-led fireworks—so that people can enjoy them without any danger.)

“Sa ibang bansa ganun naman, eh. Makikita niyo sa ibang bansa pumupunta sila [mga tao] doon sa Sydney Harbor, doon sa New York, ‘yung Times Square,” he added.

(In other countries, it’s being implemented. You can see that in other countries, people go to places like Sydney Harbor, New York, in Times Square.)

READ: Fireworks-related injuries reach 231 as of Jan 1, with 116 new cases

Herbosa also emphasized how firecrackers contribute to air pollution which negatively impacts health.

“Isa sa mga danger ng kanya-kanyang pagpapaputok ay nagkakaroon ng tinatawag na air pollution, kasi lahat ng gunpowder na sumabog sa ere umiikot ‘yan as particulate matter or dust na nai-inhale ‘yan ng mga tao at masama sa ating baga,” he said.

READ: PNP: 1 dead, 1 hurt due to stray bullets on New Year’s eve

(One of the dangers of individual fireworks use is the occurrence of what is known as air pollution, as all the gunpowder that explodes in the air circulates as particulate matter or dust that people inhale, which is harmful to our lungs.)

He noted that among those who firstly get affected by poor air quality as a result of smoke from firecrackers are people with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and obstructive lung disease.

Aside from people, pets also suffer from the loud noises of firecrackers, Herbosa said.