COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Health in Central Mindanao has counted 58 cases of firecracker and fireworks-related injuries in its areas of jurisdiction as of Thursday morning.
Jenny Ventura, DOH-12 focal person on DOH-12’s “Iwas Paputok” campaign, said the number was six percent higher when compared to the number of cases in the same period in 2014 or during the run-up to the New Year’s revelry.
Based on DOH-12’s Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (ONEISS), the number of victims of firecracker accidents has been rising despite repeated reminders and appeals from local health officials and police authorities.
Region 12 is composed of the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani and South Cotabato and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos. It is now known as the Soccsksargen region.
Ventura said South Cotabato got the highest number of injuries so far with 22 cases since December 20 this year. North Cotabato came in second with 16, Sultan Kudarat with four and Saranggani, three.
Cotabato City has eight cases while Gen. Santos City has five.
“No death as a result of firecracker injuries or stray bullets has been reported,” Ventura said.
In the region-wide report, four victims were female, the rest were males, she said. The victims’ ages ranged from 7 to 41 years old.
Ventura said 52 of the victims were the ones who set off the firecrackers and eventually got injured. Six victims were passive players or spectators hit by firecrackers set off by someone else.
Ventura added that 36 of the cases happened at the victims’ homes while 15 victims were injured during street parties.
Based on the ONEISS, Ventura said that piccolo was the most common injury-causing firecracker among the victims.
“Fifty-two cases or 90 percent were due to piccolo explosion,” Ventura said. He added that one was reported to have been hit by “kwitis,” another by “Roman candle” and yet another one by “baby rocket.”
A boy was also hit by “jolin gun” (home-made gun with marble as bullets).
Ventura said 54 of the victims were sent home while four others remained confined in the hospital. One victim of firecracker explosion saw his thumb amputated at the Amas provincial hospital in Kidapawan City.
Ventura added that three children sustained eye injuries due to piccolo.
“I hope the number will no longer increase as we welcome the New Year,” Ventura said. “I hope the revellers will not fire their guns so we can save lives and properties,” Ventura added. SFM