Manila's first firecracker victim is 13-yr-old boy

The first firecracker victim in Manila is a 13-year-old boy, who lit the notorious "piccolo" last Friday.

A report by Carlo Mateo on Super Radyo dzBB said the boy, a resident of Paco district, was rushed to the Ospital ng Maynila after injuring his fingers with a piccolo.

The report said the firecracker exploded in the boy's hand.

Other hospitals in Manila, including the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center and the Philippine General Hospital, have not recorded any other firecracker-related injuries.

Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque and other health officials made rounds on Monday to make sure that government-operated hospitals are prepared to attend to firecracker victims.

“The preparedness of all hospitals to attend to victims of fireworks-related injuries during this Yuletide Season is very important. We also reiterate our call to the public to join the community fireworks display instead of using firecrackers that can lead to injuries and even loss of life,” Duque said.

The DOH said that it recorded a total of 630 firecracker-related injuries with no deaths, which is 32 percent lower than the previous year.

Of the number, 181 cases were mostly due to piccolo and kwitis. The 181 victims belong to the age group 10- to 14 years old.

"We ask all parents to be watchful in ensuring that their children do not use exploding firecrackers such as ‘piccolo’ and ‘kwitis’ all throughout the season,” Duque said.

President Duterte signed last June 20 Executive Order No. 28, which regulates the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices which states that firecracker use will be confined to community fireworks display “to minimize the risk of injuries and casualties.”

The EO states there will be a community fireworks display during an occasion or as part of a celebration, competition, or similar event held in a venue apart from a residence.

It shall be conducted under the supervision of a trained person with license from the Philippine National Police. —ALG, GMA News