Iloilo, Negros Occ. post highest firecracker injuries

By: Gail T. Momblan and Jomarie A. Billones

THE Provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental recorded the most number of firecracker injuries in Western Visayas, the Department of Health (DOH) in the region said.

Ten firecracker cases were recorded in these provinces from Dec 21 to Dec 31, 2018, according to Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, DOH-6 Violence and Injury Prevention Program regional coordinator.

Iloilo and Negros Occidental also topped the list in Western Visayas on Dec 29 with six cases.

The health office started monitoring the cases on Dec 21.

Based on the Dec 31 data of DOH-6, the province of Aklan has five firecracker incidents, Iloilo City also has five while the provinces of Guimaras and Aklan recorded one firecracker incident each.

Sta. Lucia said the cases mostly involve teenagers who played with “Boga” and “Camara.”

Some victims suffered eye injuries and dislocated fingers, Sta. Lucia said.

Two stray bullet incidents were recorded in the towns of Maasin and Janiuay, all in Iloilo province.

Meanwhile, the victims in Bacolod City suffered from minor injuries from “trianggulo” and candle bomb blasts.

In 2017, the DOH-6 recorded 98 cases.

Sta. Lucia said the downward trend could be attributed to the Executive Order No. 28 or the “Regulation and Control of the Use of Other Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices” issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.

EO 28 prohibits individuals from using firecrackers during “events of personal, religious, cultural and national importance.

The monitoring of firecracker incidents by the DOH-6 will continue until Jan 5.

In Capiz, the Provincial Health Office noted a 30-percent increase in firecracker-related injuries.

December 23, 2018 to January 1, 2019, the PHO reported 26 compared to 20 in 2017.

The latest was a 42-year-old security guard from Brgy. Amaga in Sigma who injured his hands with a whistle bomb Tuesday evening. The

Another victim of whistle bomb was 17-year-old Christian Abaldonado of Poblacion Sur, Sigma town.

Meanwhile, the town of Cuartero has two firecracker victims; 1 each in Dao, Mambusao, and Pontevedra; 2 each in Panit-an, President Roxas, Panay, and Sigma; and 4 in Tapaz;

Roxas City posted the highest number of injuries with 8.

Based on the data, 22 victims were males and 4 females. Fifteen victims were drunk and 11 were minors.

It was also learned that 21 were actively setting fire the firecrackers while 5 were merely hit.

Reports said that 23 victims injuries in the different parts of their bodies while 3 got eye infection.