THE number of persons injured by firecrackers and fireworks display during the New Year’s countdown in Region 1 significantly decreased by 62 percent, with two victims of indiscriminate firing during the New Year revelry.

P/Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr also said in his report to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, attributed the drop in the number of victims of firecrackers- related injuries (FWRI) to households opting to save and spend their money on essential or basic necessities, instead of spending on firecrackers and fireworks.

Based on the Police Regional Office 1’s initial consolidated monitoring report, there were 12 victims injured due to fireworks and pyrotechnics use whose ages range from one year to 57 years old

Meanwhile, the region’s data from Dec. 21, 2020 to Jan. 2, 2021 showed there were only 36 FWRIs compared to last year of the same period which was 97, he added.

At presstime, no persons were arrested for violating the ban on fireworks in Region 1 but one was arrested in 12 police operations that resulted in confiscation of 3,796 assorted firecrackers worth P40,947.

He also reported that no member of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines or any uniformed personnel was reported to have fired their government-issued firearms.

Dr. Rheuel Bobis, medical officer IV and designated as the head of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health of the Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health and Development in Region 1, said in an interview on Jan. 2  that the youngest victim is a  one-year-old boy from Barangay Salindeg, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. The oldest victim was a 56-year-old woman in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

Bobis said the two victims of stray bullets due to indiscriminate firing were in Dagupan City and Alcala.

Bobis said there were only minor injuries caused mainly by lighted kwitis and lucis.

Of the 36 FWRIs, 24 were in Pangasinan, three in La Union, five in Ilocos Sur and four in Ilocos Norte.

Bopis also attributed the big drop in the number of incidents to the community quarantine and health and distance protocols. (Eva Visperas)

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