DOH pushes videoke contest instead of fireworks to mark Xmas, New Year

Citing Filipinos’ fondness for singing, health authorities on Friday advised revelers to mark Christmas and welcome the New Year with videoke contests instead of fireworks. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Eric Tayag suggested that such competitions be held at the barangay (village) level. Tayag said the singing contest can be a fun way to noisily mark the holidays without risking injury from firecrackers. He added this is another way of making noise aside from using metal pots, pans and utensils. Health authorities had repeatedly warned the public against using firecrackers to mark the holidays. As of Thursday, the Department of Health had recorded at least six injuries caused by firecrackers. — LBG, GMANews.TV