Number of younger firecracker victims alarming – JRMMC exec

An official of the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila expressed concern as more young people fall victim to firecrackers.  

In Marisol Abdurrahman’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, a 19-year-old girl was rushed by her mother to the emergency room after her eyes were hurt due to firecrackers. 

“Mayroon pong nagpaputok sa labas ng bintana namin. Nag-aayos po kasi siya. May mga pumasok po sa mata niya. Eh mahapdi daw po yung mata niya,” the girl’s mother said. 

(Someone lit a firecracker outside our window. She was getting ready when something got into her eye. She said her eye was stinging.) 

The doctor found out that sparks from the firecrackers hit the victim’s eyes which caused irritation. The patient was put on anesthesia so she could be observed further.

The teenager is the latest firecracker victim recorded by the JRRMC on the last day of 2025. 

“Nakaka-alarm na po. Meron pa pong namatay po dahil sa fireworks din po. Medyo nakakabahala na din po tapos medyo pabata nang pabata yung gumagamit. Nakakabahala na rin po,” said Zharlah Gulmatico Flores, the OIC medical center chief of JRRMC. 

(It is becoming alarming. There was even someone who died because of firecrackers. It’s quite worrying, especially since the users are getting younger. It’s really concerning.) 

Of the 16 firecracker-related cases logged in JRRMC, nine are active which means that the patients were the ones who lit up the firecrackers. Most of the patients are minors. 

In Tondo Medical Center, the number of firecracker victims doubled to over 100 this year. Two of which are currently admitted in the hospital - a 19-year-old male who was injured on the foot because of “pla-pla”, and a 13-year-old boy who got hurt by “kingkong.” Both are considered as “active” cases. 

“Mas marami pa rin yung passive talaga, yung mga napadaan lang tapos nahagisan ng paputok,” said Dr. Ryan Ray Villamayor. 

(There are still more passive victims just like those who were just passing by and had firecrackers thrown at them.) 

The Tondo Medical Center has a separate area for firecracker victims. It also prepared tools for cleaning wounds and for amputation if needed. 

Meanwhile, the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City has so far recorded six cases due to firecrackers since December 1. But the patients were hurt by firecrackers that were not considered illegal. 

The Department of Health has recorded 78 firecracker-related injuries from December 21 up to 4 a.m. of December 30. Of the said figure, 58% are ages five to 14 years old. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News