Firecracker-related injuries in NegOcc down by 25%

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here reported a 25 percent decrease in firecracker-related injuries from December 24, 2019 to January 1, 2020.

Police Major Edison Garcia, Nocppo public information officer, said they recorded 26 cases in 2019, 10 cases less compared to 2018.

The area with the highest number of cases in the province was Hinigaran town (seven cases), followed by La Castellana town and Talisay City with five cases each, four cases in Cadiz City, two cases each in Silay City and Moises Padilla town, and one case in Kabankalan City.

Minor victims were from 3 to 17 years while the adults were 19 to 54. Most cases happened outside the designated firecracker zones.

In Bacolod City, six cases of firecracker-related incidents were recorded, involving four minors and two adults from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. The 2019 figure is two cases less compared to eight incidents recorded in 2018.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said the New Year’s celebration here was generally peaceful with no significant incidents recorded.

No indiscriminate firing incidents were also reported here and in the province.