91 hurt due to fireworks, DOH reports
The number of injuries from fireworks-related cases climbed to 91 on Saturday, according to the latest data from the Department of Health (DOH).
The DOH reported that 91 firework-related injuries occurred from Dec. 21 to Dec. 27, 34-percent lower than the record within the same period in 2024.
Most cases were recorded in the National Capital Region with 40 cases, followed by Ilocos Region with 10 cases and Western Visayas with eight cases. Majority of the victims were 10- to 14-year-old males.
The top causes of the injuries were 5-star, followed by unknown firecrackers, boga, kwitis and pla-pla.
DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said, “There have been no deaths so far on our registry, and at this time there are still no cases of swallowing or ingestion of Watusi or any other fireworks.”
But he said that there were two victims who needed to have their fingers amputated due to injuries sustained from firecrackers, 5-star and whistle bomb, while there were also other victims who sustained eye injuries due to firecrackers.
“There are a lot of things that can result from lighting up fireworks. Whether it is legal or illegal, the Department of Health advises that the youth should not be handling fireworks,” he said.
The DOH also recorded 331 road crash incidents during the holiday season, which was 8.56 percent lower than the same period in 2024.
Most patients were 20- to 24-year-old males.
The tally noted that 73 percent of the incidents involved motorcycles, 83 percent of the victims had no safety accessories and 12 percent appeared to be intoxicated.
The DOH also said that there were now 168 cases of noncommunicable diseases nationwide for the holiday season and that they have responded to 543 total calls to the National Center for Mental Health hotline 1553.
Earlier, the DOH said they would be monitoring patient data during the holidays as part of their “Ligtas Christmas” campaign.
Focused cases would include patients with heart, stroke or asthma attacks, road-crash victims and firecracker-related injuries.
Celso Cruz, former president of Philippine Manufacturers and Dealers Association, said all types of illegal fireworks are similar to dynamite and can destroy limbs and property.
Under Republic Act No. 7183, any product containing more than 0.2 grams (about ⅓ teaspoon) of explosive ingredients is prohibited.
Philippine National Police acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. had earlier directed police chiefs to coordinate with local officials to designate markets for firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials in cities and municipalities ahead of the New Year revelry.
Designated selling areas
The goal is to ensure proper regulation and public safety, he said.
“By designating a specific area in every town or city where people could buy firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials, we can easily monitor and prevent the selling of illegal firecrackers,” Nartatez said.
He said centralized selling areas would help curb the sale of illegal firecrackers. —WITH A REPORT FROM PNA
