DOH urges: Skip firecrackers, welcome New Year 2026 with horns, light sticks

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday urged the Filipino youth to refrain from using firecrackers and opt for safer alternatives instead to usher in the upcoming Holiday season, including New Year 2026.

Officials of the DOH, the agency's Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MMCHD), local government units, and the police made the call during the nationwide launch of its yearly "Iwas Paputok" (Avoid Firecrackers) campaign at the Malinta National High School in Valenzuela City.

They asked young Filipinos to choose noise and illumination options, such as "torotot" or horns, and light sticks.

The revelry should be done at designated joint community fireworks displays, officials said, instead of individual celebrations with fireworks.

As this developed, the DOH-MMCHD reported 422 firework-related injuries in the National Capital Region between December 21, 2024 to January 6, 2025.

The number accounted for almost half of the 843 firework-related injuries recorded nationwide from December 22, 2024 to January 6, 2025. 

During the previous New Year's Eve celebration, children were among the victims who were rushed to the hospital due to the firework-related injuries. Many were reported to have been injured by "unknown" fireworks, and illegal firecrackers. 

The tally is also 31% higher than the previous year's record.

"Christmas is a time of joy and togetherness, but at the same time, there are also some mysteries that we should not forget. Every Holiday season, like Christmas, there are more and more accidents on the streets… There are incidents of injuries to the bones, and injuries to the skin, food, clothes, and clothing. These are not numbers that are far from us," said DOH-MMCHD Regional Director Lester Tan.

"Although there is no exact number, every injury that we encounter in the fireworks is related to stories, children who cannot go to school because of a bone injury, families who are pregnant because their parents brought them to the hospital, and youth who lose their chance to live in peace and happiness. This is the reason why we celebrated the safe Christmas that you can see in front of you,” he added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News