DOH: ‘Piccolo’ most harmful firecracker in past 3 years

 

The firecracker has been banned by the DOH and the Philippine National Police (PNP) since 2007, yet it has caused harm to more than 700 people for the past four years. A report by GMA News’ Mark Salazar said some vendors at the Divisoria Market in Manila even managed to circumvent the ban on Piccolo by selling the firecracker under a different name — “Pacquaio Ultramaa” — apparently in reference to world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao.

 

During the New Year revelry last year, 265 of the 972 recorded firecracker-related injuries were caused by the Piccolo. The highest number of Piccolo casualties was recorded in 2010, with 295 people injured by the small firecracker.

 

The aerial firecracker “kwitis,” which used to be the most harmful one sold in the country, has become only second to Piccolo for the past three years. Last year, it caused a total of 150 injuries.

 

The DOH launched an “all-out war” against the sale of Piccolo last year after injuries caused by the firecracker doubled, but problems on implementation caused the casualty figures to rise. 

 

Despite the consistently high number of injuries caused by this firecracker, the Piccolo remains accessible to children. In fact, it has already caused harm to a number of children this year even days before the New Year revelry.

 

On Monday, a report by dzBB’s Carlo Mateo said a 10-year-old boy from Manila has already lost two of his fingers after a piccolo exploded on his hand. Three other children were also brought to the Ospital ng Maynila on Monday, also due to injuries caused by the small firecracker. — with GMA News Research/RSJ, GMA News