Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Department of Health (DOH) reported a 53-percent decrease in firecracker-related injuries as of 6 a.m. Friday (January 1), as compared to the same period last year.
DOH Secretary Janette Garin said in a press conference that the agency recorded 384 firecracker-related injuries, which is an improvement from the 814 cases reported last year.
She said there was also a reduction in injuries and victims of stray bullets.
The DOH has, however, recorded one casualty. A drunk man was pronounced dead on arrival at the Ospital ng Maynila after he hugged a lit “Goodbye Philippines” firecracker.
Nine children received amputations for their injuries. The most severe case was that of an eight-year-old male child from Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya whose three fingers had to be amputated after a “kwitis” exploded in his hand.
Out of the 384 cases this year, 107 of those injured were considered passive igniters or those who didn’t even light a firecracker.
Almost 70 percent of the injuries were caused by illegal fireworks and 58 percent were caused by piccolos, also an illegal firecracker.
Garin also reiterated the agency’s erratum on the nine-year-old girl from Bulacan initially reported to have died due to a stray bullet.
“It was an accident,” she said, based on police evidence.
The National Capital Region (NCR) has seen the most cases of firecracker-related injuries in the country, with the city of Manila showing the highest number of cases.
DOH seeks total firecracker ban
Throughout the press conference, Garin repeatedly called for the total banning of firecrackers in the Philippines.
The Health department will push for its ban in the Senate and Congress.
