DOH still favors EO vs. firecrackers despite low number of victims

Despite the drop in the number of firecracker-related injuries during the holiday celebrations last year, the Department of Health (DOH) will still push for an executive order (EO) banning individual firecracker use this year.

"We will [push] the approval of the EO to ban individual firecracker use, and foster community fireworks display in the LGUs so that we will be able to achieve the goal of zero casualties due to firecracker injuries," said DOH Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo at a press briefing Friday.

A total of 630 fireworks-related injuries were recorded by the DOH through its 50 satellite hospitals from December 21, 2016 to January 6, 2017, most of them caused by the illegal firecracker piccolo.

Bayugo said this number is 292 cases or 32 percent lower than what was recorded during the same period last year, and 319 or 34 percent lower than the five-year average from 2011-2016.

Per region, the National Capital Region recorded the most cases with 340 or 54 percent, followed by Western Visayas with 78 cases (12 percent) and Central Luzon with 47 cases (7 percent).

NCR accounted for 340 cases or 54% of all firecracker-related injuries;
West Visayas accounted for 78 cases or 12%;
Region 3 has 47 cases/7% pic.twitter.com/LrrfVtAdBI

— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) January 6, 2017

Despite being two of the four cities that reached out to the DOH with the intention of creating community-based fireworks events, Quezon and Marikina cities have the second and third most cases of fireworks-related injuries in NCR.

Manila recorded 112 cases or 33% out of 340 cases reported in the NCR;
Quezon City came next with 76 cases or 22%;
Marikina next w/ 27/8% pic.twitter.com/4IRJZVpfdB

— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) January 6, 2017

Quezon City has 76 cases (22 percent) and Marikina has 27 (8 percent). Manila trumped both with 112 cases (33 percent) out of the 340 reported in the NCR.

Most injuries occurred on the streets (408 cases or 65 percent), sustained by active users or those who tossed or were holding they pyrotechnics (404 cases or 64 percent), and were most likely male (510 cases or 81 percent) under the age of 15 (351 cases or 56 percent).

Most injuries occurred on the streets, sustained by active users, most likely male under the age of 15. pic.twitter.com/z0LEC8zVMF

— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) January 6, 2017

Of the 630, 627 were due to exploding firecrackers while three were cases of firecracker ingestion. The victims — who have already been pronounced safe — were from Cainta, Rizal; Navotas City, and La Trinidad, Benguet.

Illegal firecrackers

The injuries were mostly due to the prohibited firecracker piccolo, as well as kwitis, five-star, and lucis.

192 were injured by piccolo
89/14% injured by kwitis
38/6% injured by lucis
32/5% injured by five star
54/9% injured by unknown fc.

— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) January 6, 2017

"Sa Bureau of Customs, hindi naman natin tinatawanan ang kanilang kakayahan, at mga ginagawang tungkulin, pero meron po tayong ilang mga container vans na nakumpiska rin po ng customs na subject po sa aming disposal," said Philippine National Police-Explosives Management Division chief Senior Supt. Conrado Gongon.

Gongon said police apprehended 44 sellers of illegal fireworks during their inspections from November to December. Those arrested will be charged with violating Republic Act 7183.

"Alam nating bawal, pero marami talagang nai-involve," Bayugo added. "Marami pa rin talagang hindi nahuhuli at magaling magtago."

Bayugo said a law is needed to create sanctions for selling illegal firecrackers as the executive order they are endorsing to President Rodrigo Duterte has no sanctions against violators.

"Para magkaroon ng ngipin, a law will probably be a better direction, eventually," he said.

Some 2,830 sellers sought licenses to sell firecrackers this year, while there are 270 licensed dealers and manufacturers of pyrotechnics and firecrackers.

Not a total ban

Bayugo reiterated that they are not seeking a nationwide ban of fireworks with their proposed EO, saying a total ban would render thousands jobless.

Bayugo: We are not seeking a total ban of fireworks nationwide; we are pushing for community-based fireworks displays. pic.twitter.com/zJ0UMpKiGk

— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) January 6, 2017

"It will need long-term planning and whatever arrangement. Kaya yung una nating pinoprose will be the individual use," Bayugo said. "Ang ating primary consideration is to reduce casualties or injuries."

Even with the EO in effect, he said a change in culture must occur with regards to Filipinos' tendency to usher in the new year with pyrotechnics and firecrackers.

"Kasama diyan yung culture change, kultura natin ng maingay, may pailaw. Hindi naman tayo ganun ka-unrealistic," Bayugo said.

While they do not have the best record this year, Bayugo said Quezon City, Marikina, San Juan, and Pasay cities will be recognized for heeding the national government's proposal for a "community fireworks display."

"They took the first step towards what we would like to see. That is worth recognizing as far as we are concerned," he said. —KBK, GMA News