DILG, PNP ask barangay officials, public to help keep New Year 2026 celebrations orderly

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday called on barangay officials and the public to ensure that New Year celebrations are safe, orderly, and free from firecracker-related injuries, as Filipinos prepare to welcome 2026.

In a New Year message, the DILG reminded the public that the festivities should also serve as a reminder of collective responsibility to protect lives and maintain public order.

“Ang pamahalaan ay patuloy na kumikilos nang may malinaw na direksyon at matibay na loob upang maisulong ang kaayusan, disiplina, at malasakit sa bawat pamayanan,” the DILG said. 

(The government continues to act with clear direction and firm resolve to promote order, discipline, and compassion in every community.)

The agency added that it is on full alert for the celebrations, alongside the PNP and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), monitoring crowded areas such as malls, churches, transport terminals, and other public spaces.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday urged barangay officials and the public to help ensure that the New Year 2026 celebrations will be safe and orderly.

“The PNP reminds our kababayans to strictly observe safety while celebrating the New Year. Ilang araw bago ang mismong Bagong Taon, nakapagtala na tayo ng humigit-kumulang 100 indibidwal na nasugatan dahil sa paputok,” PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said, according to a media release.

(A few days before the New Year, we already tallied more or less 100 individuals who got injured due to firecrackers.)

The number of firework-related injuries in the country from December 21 to 27 climbed to 91 on Saturday, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.

“Patuloy nating pinapanawagan sa ating mga kababayan na iwasan ang paggamit ng paputok para sa inyong kaligtasan,” Nartatez said.

(We continue to appeal to our countrymen to avoid using firecrackers for their safety.)

DOH's data were gathered from 62 sentinel hospitals. According to the DOH summary report, the country’s 91 firework-related injury tally remained 34% lower than the record within the same period in 2024, wherein 137 cases were recorded.

Most cases were recorded in the National Capital Region with 40 cases, followed by Ilocos Region with 10 cases and Western Visayas with 8 cases. Majority of the victims were 10 to 14 year-old males. Some of the victims had to have amputations after they got injured while handling five-star and whistle-bomb firecrackers.

Nartatez said the PNP will strictly enforce regulations against illegal or unsafe firecrackers.

“Kaisa ninyo ang buong hanay ng kapulisan sa pagsisiguro na ligtas at maayos ang pagsalubong natin ng Bagong Taon, kaya naman sana ay pagtulung-tulungan natin ito,” the PNP acting chief said.

(The entire police force is one with you in ensuring the safe and orderly celebration of the New Year, so let us cooperate with each other.)

“Barangay leaders are at the forefront of ensuring that local festivities remain incident-free. We urge them to be proactive in safeguarding their constituents, especially against the use of illegal firecrackers and even firearms during New Year celebration,” Nartatez said. 

The PNP acting chief also commended barangay officials who use social media to warn their constituents against selling and using illegal firecrackers.

The PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) earlier said even small firecrackers like “watusi” are banned because they stick to the hand and are poisonous.

Aside from “watusi”, other banned firecrackers include “Lolo Thunder,” “Pop Pop,” “Atomic Triangle,” “Pla-Pla,” “Mother Rockets,” “Piccolo,” and “Goodbye Philippines.”

READ: Are your firecrackers safe? PNP explains

—KG/MCG, GMA Integrated News