EcoWaste Coalition launches Iwas-Paputoxic campaign

EcoWaste Coalition on Tuesday launched its yearly Iwas Paputoxic campaign in a school in Tondo to promote alternative noisemakers in celebrating the new year, GMA News' Ian Cruz reported on Balitanghali.

According to chemical safety campaigner Thony Dizon, 463 cases of firecracker-related injuries were reported in 2018, 116 of which were recorded in Manila.

Thirty-three percent of this was victims of the firecracker Piccolo.

The Iwas-Paputoxic campaign, launched in Jose Rizal Elementary School, aims to educate students on alternative noisemakers to avoid the use of firecrackers in welcoming the new year.

Aside from personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police and other stake holders, several Miss Earth beauties were also present in the campaign launch.

The coalition said that firecrackers also have a negative effect to nature and persons with illnesses.

The students were made to promise, through an oath, that they will not use firecrackers. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News