AT least 157 people in various parts of the province were injured from firecrackers at the height of the celebration on New Year’s Eve, a report of the Department of Health (DOH) Region 1 based in La Union said.

Based on the report, Dagupan City  registered the most number of fireworks-related cases at 42; followed by Calasiao, 26, Bayambang, 11, Mangaldan and San Fabian, eight each; San Carlos,  Sta. Barbara, Urdaneta City, six each;  Asingan and Binmaley, five cases each; Burgos, Sta Maria, four each; Bautista, Manaoag and San Jacinto, three each; Alaminos, San  Manuel, Umingan, two each; while 10 more towns in Pangasinan had at least one   fireworks-related case each.

Of the injured, 90% are males with ages ranging from five months old to 84 years (median is 13 years).

The most common firecracker used was triangle or “bawang”, some were “pla-pla”, “kwitis”, “piccolo”, among others.

The DOH report showed that most of the victims sustained burns in different parts of their bodies, except the eyes.

Region 1 Medical Center had the most number of patients among the hospitals in the province at 79.

Despite the repeated warning of the DOH not to use firecrackers during the New Year’s celebration, through their “Oplan Iwas Paputok” campaign, the number of victims of firecreackers this year still increased as compared to last year’s.

In Ilocos Region, there were recorded cases of stray bullets injuring mostly minors.

The DOH said, however, that while there was an increase in the number of victims this year, fortunately, no fatality was recorded.

The DOH also acknowledged the active contribution of various health facilities in the province, including those under local government units. – AQL

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments