Two months before the start of the holiday season, the Department of Health (DOH) has launched its 'kontra-paputok' (anti-fireworks) advocacy to lessen the number of fireworks-related injuries.
DOH Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona said on Wednesday the health department started its campaign early because of the higher number of fireworks-related injuries in 2009, compared to 2008. Last year, 990 cases of fireworks-related injuries were recorded. This is 39% higher than the 717 cases reported in 2008. The number of stray bullet injuries also spiked, from 17 cases in 2008 to 45 cases in 2009. "The figures increased despite our continuing advocacy, so we're starting early this year," he said. This year, the DOH's advocacy will most especially focus on children using fireworks. "The DOH data clearly indicates that children are most prone and vulnerable to fireworks-related injuries," the health chief said, adding that personally, he wants to ban the use of fireworks for children below 12 years old. The 2009 DOH report on fireworks-related injuries revealed that the most affected group belonged to the 1-10 year old age bracket. Majority of these injuries were caused by directly handling the fireworks. The DOH is also counting on local government units to protect the public from fireworks-related injuries by strictly enforcing the ban on the manufacture and purchase of dangerous firecrackers like
super lolo, pla-pla, five star and
sawa, among others.
However, Ona said the public should remain cautious even when using 'legal' firecrackers like
kwitis and
luces. "Although legally allowed, [the use of these firecrackers] cannot be equated to safety," he said. "There's no such thing as a harmless firecracker." He also urged communities to pool together their resources to buy the more visual type of fireworks usually seen in big events, a more expensive type but less dangerous compared to 'noisy' fireworks that Filipinos are accustomed to.
"Hindi ho ba during New Year, pinapakita sa TV kung anong ginagawa sa ibang bansa. Hindi na sila ang nagpapaputok, may magagandang fireworks na lang na pinapanood sa langit," he said. (On New Year, we see on TV other countries' celebrations, where the people just watch the beautiful fireworks in the sky instead of lighting the fireworks themselves.) He said local governments can designate a common fireworks display area where families can come together and watch the fireworks display handled by professionals.
PNP, BFP join in holiday safety advocacy The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed their support for the health department's advocacy, saying that they will intensify the monitoring of the illegal manufacturers of pyrotechnics. "We will confiscate illegal fireworks starting at the manufacturing stage, even before they are distributed and sold," PNP Chief Inspector Rico Bracamonte said. He also urged the public to report immediately cases of stray bullets during the holidays. He said these reports will help them find out who fired a gun and where the bullet came from. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) also reminded the public to buy only firecrackers that are of good quality. The BFP inspects products and factories of fireworks manufacturers. The agency also issues a "Fire Saftey Inspection Certificate" to companies complying with safety standards. "You may look for the certificate before purchasing your fireworks," BFP Public Information Officer Chief Inspector Honee Alagano said. "If they have the certificate, that means they passed the safety standards of the BFP."
–VVP, GMANews.TV 
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