Lax enforcement of firecracker ban law hit
MOST VICTIMS: 5-14 YEAR-OLD BOYS
LINGAYEN—Dr. Anna Theresa De Guzman, provincial health officer attributed the increase in the number of firecracker victims to failure of local governments to strictly implement measures spelled out in Republic Act (RA) 7183 or the law on pyrotechnic devices, otherwise known as the firecracker ban law.
She said most of the victims were boys with ages 5-14 years old and the main culprit was Piccolo, a banned firecracker.
She earlier called on barangay officials to closely monitor the stores in their neighborhoods but the number of cases proved that there was failure on the part of the barangay officials to prevent the proliferation of banned firecrackers in their communities.
“We believe this Piccolo was sold in sari-sari stores that’s why it was accessible to minors,” De Guzman said.
Other firecrackers that caused injuries to the young boys were ‘boga,’ ‘cannon,’ ‘triangle,’ ‘five star,’ ‘pla-pla,’ ‘kwitis,’ and “super lolo.”
She also blamed parents for failing to supervise the activities of their children who were minors.
Four boys sustained eye injuries.
She encouraged Pangasinenses to use alternative noise-making instruments in welcoming the New Year’s Day instead of using firecrackers.
The PHO, through its campaign dubbed “Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction Campaign” maintained its call for a firecracker-free Yuletide season celebration.- (Johanne Macob/Hilda Austria/ PNA)
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