PNoy makes personal appeal vs firecrackers

As the New Year revelry continues to intensify, President Benigno Aquino III made a personal appeal to parents to keep their children away from firecrackers and revelers using them. In a message, Aquino lamented children aged 10 and below account for a big chunk of firecracker-related injuries so far this year. "Huwag po sana nating sirain ang magandang kinabukasan ng ating mga anak. Ilayo po natin ang mga bata sa mga paputok at sa mga gumagamit nito (Let us not destroy the bright future of our children. Let us keep children away from fireworks and revelers using them)," he said. The message dated Dec. 29 was posted late Thursday on the government portal.

In his message, Aquino said many people lose fingers or go blind, or suffer from poisoning and burns due to firecrackers. He said it is unfair that children pay for a few moments of "entertainment" with the loss of a limb. "Panandaliang aliw o saya po itong maaaring magdulot ng habambuhay na pinsala sa mga bata. Ang pagmamatyag natin ay bahagi ng pag-aaruga, upang maiwasan ang mga pangyayaring maaari nating pagsisisihan," he said. (Firecrackers may provide a few moments of entertainment but in exchange for lifelong disabilities. It is part of our duty as their guardians to keep them from doing something they will regret later on.) "Maligayang Bagong Taon po sa ating lahat; salubungin sana natin ito nang puno ng pag-asa, at malayo sa disgrasya (A happy new year to all of us. Let us welcome the New Year with hope, away from harm)," he added. - KBK, GMANews.TV