Metro Manila hospitals gird for New Year 2026 firecracker-related cases

Metro Manila hospitals are bracing for the expected influx of injuries and other emergency cases due to firecrackers as the country celebrates the arrival of New Year 2026.

According to a report by Jhomer Apresto on Wednesday, Tondo Medical Center (TMC) officials said they have prepared a full system and a dedicated "blast case area" to attend to patients of fireworks-related injuries (FWRI).

After a triage, patients would be sent to the blast case emergency room for immediate treatment and surgery, if needed.

As of New Year's Eve, the TMC has recorded 15 FWRIs since December 21, with 2 patients still admitted.

"May isa na nagkaroon ng lapnos sa mukha at saka sa katawan, and then 'yung isa nagkaroon ng malaking sugat sa paa. 'Yung isa [nasaktan dahil] sa plapla, 'yung isa sa King Kong," shared TMC Department of Surgery Chief Resident Dr. Joyce Anne Lopez.

(One patient suffered burns to the face and body. Another had a large wound on the foot. One [was injured from a] plapla, another was from a King Kong firecracker.)

The TMC has bolstered its workforce for the anticipated increase in cases.

Mostly minors

At the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRMMC), health staff were also attending to 15 FWRI cases as of New Year's Eve morning. Most of the patients were minors.

"Karamihan po dito ay below 18 years old. Mga siyam po ang mga tinamaan dito kumpara sa more than 18 years old, karamihan po mga lalaki pa rin at mga active po ang tinatamaan talaga ng paputok," said JRMMC Medical Center Chief Dr. Zharlah Gulmatico-Flores.

(Most of them are below 18 years old. About nine more victims compared to the patients above 18 years old, most of them are male, active, who were hit by firecrackers.)

"Mayroon pong naputulan po [ng daliri]. Isa po naputulan, isang naoperahan po. Twelve years old po 'yung naoperahan. The rest po, fortunately, sila po ay puro nagtamo lang na mga sugat at abrasion lang sa mga balat nila," she added.

(One had [their finger] amputated. One had an amputation and another had an operation. A 12-year-old underwent an operation. The rest, fortunately, just had some wounds and skin abrasions.)

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Tondo Medical Center, may 15 firecracker victims na; 2 kaso ang admitted; pinakabata na 4-year old at ang huling dinala na 25-year old—kapwa passive victims ng paputok. | via @VargasMannysen pic.twitter.com/3HfJPboWVa

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 31, 2025

Gulmatico-Flores said the hospital has been preparing for the influx of FWRI cases since December 21.

Preparations include ensuring adequate manpower at the emergency room, operating rooms, ICU units, wards, and laboratories.

The hospital has also prepared on-call consultants and medical relievers to handle additional caseloads.

"Ni-ready natin lahat ng supplies natin, minake sure natin na sapat mga supplies. 'Yung OR (operating room), ICU (intensive care unit) prepared po siya, even mga protocols natin for fireworks injuries po ni-ready po natin lahat 'to. Not just only fireworks injury. Pati 'yung tinatawag nating holiday syndrome preparedness for hypertension sa mga stroke parents natin, sa mga magkakaroon ng asthma later on," she said.

(We have prepared all our supplies, and made sure we had enough supplies. The OR and ICU rooms are prepared, even the protocols for the fireworks related injuries are all ready. Not just the fireworks injuries, even for what we call the holiday heart syndrome preparedness for hypertension for our stroke patients, and those who will get asthma later on.)

Dedicated areas

Meanwhile at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City, doctors said they have responded to six FWRIs since December 21 and have not yet received any cases as of 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Despite this, they have prepared their emergency rooms and trauma centers for an increased FWRI caseload as the New Year approaches.

The EAMC has dedicated two tables and several beds, along with multiple surgical equipment, for FWRIs.

"Catered and tailored ang area na to para sa kanila… May dalawang tables tayo and nakaready ang gamit in case may kailangang gamutin na pasyente. During this time, we expect a surge sa mga pasyente na may mga fireworks-related injury at as per mandate ng DOH, tailored talaga. Dedicated talaga ito para sa kanila," shared Dr. Kevin Chua, EAMC Department of Surgery Chief Resident.

(This area is catered and tailored for them… We have two tables and equipment prepared in case we need to treat patients. During this time, we expect a surge in patients that have firework-related injuries and as per mandate of DOH, it really is tailored. This is really dedicated for them.)

"Kasama sa paghahanda ng mga hospital, 'yung mga emergency room ay ready na po sa mga darating na pasyente in case na lalong tumaas ang mga kaso at nagdagdag pa kami ng dedicated area and beds para sa mga pasyente na may firework-related injuries kung kailangan nilang manatili sa emergency room para obserbahan muna kung 'di pa sila puwede umuwi," he added.

(Included in the preparations of the hospitals are the emergency rooms, which are ready for incoming patients should the cases increase later on, and we are still adding more dedicated areas and beds for patients with firework-related injuries that need to stay in the emergency room for observation if they're still not allowed to return home.)

The Philippines has logged a total of 140 FWRIs nationwide as of December 30, 4 a.m.

While the tally remains lower than the cases compared to the same monitoring period in 2024, hospitals and medical facilities remain under Code White for holiday health concerns, including FWRIs. — VDV, GMA Integrated News