Prohibited piccolo still among top 5 firecrackers causing injuries

Despite a ban, piccolo has remained one of top five firecrackers that caused injuries as Filipinos welcomed New Year 2020, the Department of Health said Wednesday.

At a press conference, the DOH revealed the firecrackers that topped the list of those that caused injuries during the revelry:

• Kwitis - 33 cases
• Luces - 19
• Fountain - 18
• Piccolo - 13
• Baby Rocket – 9

Under Executive Order No. 28 of 2017, the Philippine National Police banned the use of piccolo.

Before the New Year, the PNP intensified its crackdown against prohibited firecrackers as well as illegal sellers, and manufacturers.

Four out of the top five firecrackers that caused injuries were not among those that the PNP prohibited.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the DOH is set to file a draft for the total ban of firecrackers in the Congress.

According to the Health secretary, firecrackers remain dangerous regardless of their legality.

“Might as well, [outlaw] all (firecrackers),” he said when asked if he would recommend banning the rest of legal firecrackers included in the top five harmful firecrackers.

As of Wednesday, at least 164 cases of firecracker-related injuries were reported.

Duque said the DOH aims for zero firecracker-related injury. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News