Hospitals and health care facilities in General Santos City are set to be on code white alert as residents are expected to light firecrackers during the holidays.

Since there is no total ban on firecrackers in the city, except for illegal ones, authorities expect more people to light firecrackers during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

However, the City Health Office (CHO) is aiming to achieve zero firecracker-related injuries.

Data from the CHO showed that around 10 firecracker-related injury cases were recorded in 2024, mostly involving children.

Some of the victims were injured after picking up unexploded firecrackers. However, no fatalities were reported.

“Hinihiling po naming sa mga pamilya lalo na sa mga magulang na iwasan natin especially below five years old na maglaro, especially magpulot ng mga firecrackers… kunyari napatay na, pulutin, laruan pa,” CHO Health Education and Promotion Officer, Mary Claire Fedillaga, said.

Health authorities urged the public to use safer alternatives to firecrackers.

“Mas maganda na lang na wag tayong gumamit ng mga paputok. Kaya iwas paputok tayo. makijoin na lang tayo sa community fireworks or pwede naman torotot,” Fedillaga added.

A code white alert is also set to be implemented to ensure hospitals and other health care facilities are ready to accommodate possible health-related emergencies

Meanwhile, CHO said that surveillance and monitoring for its “Iwas paputok” campaign will run from December 22, 2025 until January 6, 2026.