DOH warns those who use firecrackers: No cure for damaged future

The Department of Health has been sending text messages warning against the adverse effects of firecrackers. Photo screen grabbed by Anthony Esguera

MANILA, Philippines—There is no cure for a future destroyed by firecrackers.

This is the text message being propagated by the Department of Health in its intensified campaign against the use of firecrackers.

“Sa pagsalubong ng Bagong Taon handa ang DOH gamutin [ang] sinoman[g] naputukan. Subalit ‘di magagamot ng DOH ang nasirang kinabukasan dahil sa paputok. ‘Wag iputok ang paputok,” the text message reads.

(DOH will treat all injured by firecrackers during the New Year festivities. But a damaged future has no cure. Don’t use firecrackers to welcome the New Year!)

The DOH has been sending the text message days before the country welcomes the New Year. From Dec. 21 to 29, the agency has already recorded 139 cases of fireworks-related injuries.

The agency said that the top causes of injuries were piccolo (67%), unknown firecrackers (6%), and five star, camara, and boga with 4% each.

Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin on Sunday urged local government units to ban the use of firecrackers.

The cities of Baguio, Olongapo, Davao, Kidapawan, Zamboanga and Muntinlupa are the only places that ban the use of firecrackers at present.

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