DOH reports fewer, but worse, fireworks injuries
Following the holiday festivities, another 300 cases of firework-related injuries (FWRIs) may be recorded on top of the initial 235 logged on Thursday, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
“Our Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau is continuing to collect and validate data. We are seeing that there could be an additional 300 plus cases of firework-related injuries to the 235 already reported yesterday,” DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said in a message on Friday.
The initial data was recorded from Dec. 21, 2025, to 4 a.m. of Jan. 1, 2026.
Domingo maintained that the number of cases is still increasing as the agency continues to receive late reports.
The DOH has yet to disclose a specific number of cases, as of writing, but the agency said it is currently verifying the number of incidents nationwide.
Hospitals in Metro Manila reported fewer patients of FWRIs, but the injuries were also more severe.
Although the current tally is lower than last year’s records, Zharlah Gulmatico-Flores, officer incharge of the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila, noted that patients’ injuries from firecrackers are more severe this year.
Less than 50%
Gulmatico-Flores said in a radio interview that they have handled 67 FWRIs since Dec. 21, 2025, and that they are attending to 39 FWRIs for New Year’s Day so far.
“There has been [improvement in the number of cases] this year, but the injuries sustained by our patients this year are more severe,” she said.
Imelda Mateo, chief of the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Rizal province, said they saw less than 50 percent of their previous FWRI record and have no admissions so far.
“The cases are somewhat mild compared to last year, but we still can’t say because it’s only Jan. 1. Usually, we look at fireworks-related injuries or firecrackers until Jan. 5,” she said.
“Thirteen cases as of this early morning, which is less than half of what we have in 2025. We are happy with this and hope that we will be able to keep it this low,” she added.
Domingo said it was still too early to determine the final count of FWRIs, but noted that the trend was showing lower numbers.
As of 4 a.m. on Jan. 1, the DOH has logged a total of 235 FWRIs nationwide.
