Two children in Iloilo have suffered from firecracker-related incidents over a week to the New Year revelry. Both were hit in the right eye when the “boga” (improvised cannon) they were playing exploded. 

A five-year-old boy in Barangay Agdahon, Passi City, Iloilo was injured on December 19, 2025. 

According to the police, the boy was playing with a “boga" with his 10-year-old brother outside of their house when the improvised cannon exploded. 

The boy's eye is already operated on. The child is recuperating at the hospital, as of this writing. 

“Ang isang plastic (bottle) ng softdrink, pinutol nila then parang itinuon ng kapatid sa kanyang nakababatang kapatid without knowing na puputok pala,” Captain Ma. Rosario Miranda, spokesperson of Passi City Police, said. 

He is monitored tightly by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office. 

“Nagko-coordinate kami sa PSWDO kung ano ang maibigay na financial assistance pero sa atin sa health, bumabalik tayo sa kampanya natin sa Iwas Paputok para ang singular injuries ma-prevent natin sa future rin,” said Dr. Rodney labis, assistant head of Iloilo PHO. 

Based on the record of the Iloilo PHO, a nine-year-old girl was also injured by a “boga” in Cabatuan, Iloilo. The girl was hit in the right eye also. 

Medication was administered before she was sent home, the Iloilo PHO log indicated. 

According to the Department of Health, “boga” causes one of fireworks-related injuries in Western Visayas during Christmas and the New Year. Most of the victims are ages one to 10 years old.

“Starting 2022 up to 2024, we have increasing cases. In these increasing cases that I have mentioned, it is more of blast with no amputation or eye injuries. We have no deaths,” said Dr. Fritzi Jeroso-Dequito, medical officer of DOH-CHD 6. 

In Bacolod City, juveniles were seen playing with “boga” despite the presence of other residents around. In a video taken by GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas, none of the residents tried to stop the youngsters.

As of this writing, the police are coordinating with barangay officials to help identify the juveniles in the video.

According to health authorities, aside from burns sustained, the explosion of a “boga” may result in severe wounds.

“Well magiging disable talaga ang ating pasyente because permanent ang injuries. As much as possible i-avoid natin,” Dr. Clarrene Anne Barrios, general surgeon at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, said.