The number of firecracker-related injuries in Northern Mindanao from December 21, 2024 to January 3, 2025 has reached 36, according to the Department of Health-Northern Mindanao (DOH-10).

DOH-10 said Bukidnon has the most number of cases with 13 followed by Misamis Occidental with 10. Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City logged four each, Lanao del Norte logged three, and Iligan City recorded two.

No firecracker-related injury was recorded in Camiguin.

The victims are seven years old to 53 years old with 63 percent of the cases involving minors.

“Fourteen adults where one intoxication are were fireworks involved 75 percent were illegal, including ang atong mga DIY boga or kaning lantaka so medyo taas-taas ang atong mga kaso nga kaning illegal,” RESDRU DOH-10 Officer-in-charge, Jasper Ola, said.

Of the 36 cases, only one patient was admitted to the hospital. The patient, who is from Cagayan de Oro, is in safe condition, as of this writing.

DOH-10 is still on alert as tetanus cases may increase due to unreported firecracker-related injuries.

“Paingon sa January 21, ato mana i-monitor kay posible man na katong mga nangabuthan nga wala niadto og balay tambalanan… mas maayo nga muadto aron matagaan og tetanus vaccine,” Ola said.

DOH-10 added that public hospitals are open to cater to victims who reported the incident late and did not get immediate treatment.