Give firecrackers money to storm victims–DOH

Health Secretary Enrique Ona: Be safe this Christmas season, offer help to calamity victims instead.  AFP File Photo

MANILA, Philippines—Rather than spend your money on firecrackers and other pyrotechnics for the holiday revelries, why not give the money to the victims of the recent disasters instead?

The appeal came from the Department of Health (DOH), which launched its annual anti-firecracker campaign on Monday.

“We cannot stop people from celebrating and maybe most of them have already donated to the victims of calamities,” said Health Secretary Enrique Ona. “But still, it would be better that, rather than spending so much on firecrackers, we give (the money) to those who need help, especially in the Visayas.”

The appeal ties in with the theme of this year’s DOH campaign: “Maging ligtas ngayong Kapaskuhan, mga biktima ng kalamidad handugan.”  (Be safe this Christmas season, offer help to calamity victims instead.)

Ona also encouraged local government units to organize community firework displays and safer merrymaking activities.

“Families can enjoy the holidays with injury-free alternatives. The year 2013 has brought the country misery and tragedy from a spate of disasters. When many children get maimed from firework-related injuries during the revelries, it becomes another disaster,” he said.

To entice people to look for safer means of merrymaking, the DOH presented a video showing Assistant Health Secretary and Director of the National Epidemiology Center Dr. Eric Tayag dancing to the popular tune, “Roar” by American singer-songwriter Katy Perry.—Tina G. Santos