PNP, DOH urge LGUs to designate firecracker zones

Police and health authorities have exhorted local government officials to designate firecracker zones soon, in a bid to lessen the number of Filipinos who lose fingers, limbs or even their eyesight to firecracker-related injuries that reach disastrous levels during the Yuletide holidays. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said local governments are in the best position to designate safe and open areas where holiday merrymakers can light firecrackers, Radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported on Friday. To cut down on the number of injuries, as well as to minimize the chances of firecracker smoke lingering too long in the air, the common or public areas designated for lighting firecrackers should be open areas, Bacalzo said. Noting that bystanders are more vulnerable to firecracker-related injuries, the Department of Health (DOH) said local governments should also designate specific common areas where even fireworks — which are less explosive than firecrackers — will be handled only by professionals. For many years, the DOH has been pushing for a total ban on all firecrackers, instead of the existing ban on selected firecrackers. The Department of Education threw its support behind the move and also called on local governments to strictly enforce the selected fireworks ban to protect children from fireworks-related injuries during the holiday revelry. Based on the Philippine National Police's 2007 list, the following firecrackers are banned until today: Lolo Thunder, Super Lolo, Bawang (large), Pla-pla, Watusi, Kwiton, Giant Whistle, Judas Belt (large), Og and Atomic Bomb.
“We encourage students and parents to celebrate the holiday season in a simple and peaceful way to protect our children from injuries," DepEd secretary Bro. Armin Luistro said in an article posted on the government portal on Friday night. Luistro said that health department “data show(s) that children are most prone and vulnerable to firework-related injuries." According to the DepEd, 990 people were injured by fireworks last year and 45 were injured by stray bullets. The DepEd cited a 2009 DOH report on firecrackers- and fireworks-related injuries, which revealed that while the ages of injured victims widely ranged from two months to 78 years old, the median age was 14 years, and that the 1-10 and 11-20 years age groups were the most affected. Last week, a coalition of civic groups called on the DOH to update its "black list" of banned firecrackers in time for the New Year celebration. In a letter sent to Health Secretary Enrique Ona, the EcoWaste Coalition asked the Health department to include in its "black list" more types of dangerous fireworks, such as the atomic big triangulo, piccolo, kwitis, luces, five-star, PVC bazooka, and cannons or guns.—DM/JV, GMANews.TV