DOH: Number of firecracker-related injuries now at 23

Five days before the New Year, the Department of Health has already recorded 23 firecracker-related injuries, with one caused by firecracker ingestion.

In an interview aired Monday over Unang Balita, DOH Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Dr. Eric Tayag said the agency began tallying firecracker-related injuries from December 21.

Based on the current figure taken on December 25, Tayag said the number of firecracker-related injuries has declined by almost half this year.

“Kalahati na ang binaba kasi noong isang taon, 44 na ang ating bilang. Sa nakalipas na limang taon, on the average mga 51 na ang nare-report na sa ganitong panahon,” he said.

Of all the firecracker-related injuries recorded by the DOH, Tayag said 13 occurred in Metro Manila while eight were caused by piccolo.

He said the number of firecracker-related injuries for the entire holiday season ranges from around 900 to 1,000 although the DOH hope the figure will decline due to the inclement weather and repeated warnings against firecracker use by government officials.

On December 28, Tayag said the DOH will announce the top five local government units with the highest number of firecracker-related injuries to urge its officials to step up the campaign against firecracker use. —Xianne Arcangel/ALG, GMA News