DOH records 125 firecracker-related injuries ahead of New Year 2026

The number of individuals injured due to firecrackers increased to 125 two days before the New Year 2026 revelries, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday. 

DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said that the 125 cases of firework-related injuries recorded from December 21 to 29, were 27% lower than the 171 cases logged during the same period in 2024. 

Most came from the National Capital Region with 57 cases, followed by Ilocos Region with 12, and Central Luzon with 11. 

Most victims were also male aged five to 14. 

Meanwhile, the leading cause of injuries were 5-Star, unknown firecrackers, Boga, Kwitis, unlabeled or imported firecrackers, and Whistle Bomb.

“Tandaan po natin sa listahan na ito na ang Kwitis at ang Whistle Bomb ay parehong legal at nakukuha sa mga licensed dealers. Kaya po ang punto ng DOH, mapa-illegal or legal, hindi po dapat pinapahawak ng paputok ang mga bata,” Domingo said.

(Let's remember that in this list, the Kwitis and the Whistle Bomb are both legal and can be bought from licensed dealers. The point of the DOH is, children should not be allowed to handle firecrackers whether they are illegal or legal.) 

“Nakita po natin sa datos ‘yan, malinaw na malinaw, dapat po maghigpit tayo sa pagbabantay sa ating mga kabataang lalaki,” he added. 

(We have seen that clearly in the data, we must strictly watch over our children, especially the males.)  —AOL, GMA Integrated News