DOH pushes for nationwide ban of firecrackers

The Department of Health (DOH) announced it is considering a total ban on firecrackers nationwide to prevent injuries to persons, especially to children.

DOH told Philippine News Agency that the total ban was considered after it noted an increasing number of firecracker-related injuries in welcoming the New Year.

DOH Secretary Enrique Ona said in an interview that he and the DOH team are analyzing injuries trend prior to New Year's Eve, noting that if the same number of firecracker-related injuries is established, a radical change will be observed.

“We analyze how effective these [measures to prevent firecracker-related injuries] are and if the case is always the same, maybe it’s time we did something more drastic,” Ona said.

Ona said they are still taking into consideration the stakeholders in the firecrackers business as well as the culture of Filipinos in celebrating New Year.

He said the officials must consider how other countries regulate firecracker use, at the same time, checking how areas with firecracker ban fare, like Davao City and Subic.

As of December 26, there have been about 72 victims of firecracker-related injuries, about 40 percent of which were children below age 10. 

He did not disclose comparative figures from last year's pre-New year celebration.

Ona said about half of these victims are onlookers. 

He added: “It is a time for celebration, a time to be happy, a time to be with friends, family and loved ones. 

"It is not the time to be crying, especially if the injuries obtained by these firecracker victims are severe.” 

Ona also reminded the public that the New Year should not only be a happy one but also a safe one.

FIRECRACKERS ZONE

Brgy. Captain Carlos Guarin, Iloilo City Liga ng mga Barangay president, supports the creation of firecracker zone in every barangay to help reduce the number of injuries and fire incidents for the New Year’s revelry.

Guarin said basketball courts and open areas that are far from community houses could be use as common area where residents could light their firecrackers.

By having a common area for firecracker use, he said the public would be spared from the dangers of injuries since no firecrackers are littered in the streets or in houses.

He added that village officials should also persuade their constituents to avoid using firecrackers rather than force or threaten them.

As with the selling of firecrackers, he noted that “vendors are not allowed to sell in the villages, but the City Government has set specific areas like plazas for vendors to sell their products.”

GIFT-GIVING

Meanwhile, Guarin reminded his fellow village officials to prioritize the city indigents in the distribution of 25,000 gift packs.

Today, the City Government will distribute gift packs consisting of rice, noodles, sardines and other goods to 2,000 senior citizens and 500 persons with disabilities of the city at the Freedom Grandstand.

On Saturday, another batch of 22,500 gift packs will be given to the indigents with tickets earlier distributed by the barangay captains to their constituents.

Guarin stressed politics should be set aside in relation to the said program, noting that “giving of tickets for recipients is the project of the City Government” and not of any politician.*with Karen Bermejo