Close to 800 hurt during New Year revelries - Health Dept.

Despite warnings issued by police and health officials, almost 800 people were injured by firecrackers during revelries marking the end of 2010 and the start of the New Year. According to the Department of Health (DOH), 794 people were injured in welcoming 2011, up 61 cases or 8 percent from the previous five-year average but 204 cases or 20 percent down from the same comparable period that marked the start of 2010 and the end of 2009. “Out of the 17 regions, NCR [National Capital Region] reported the most cases [451 or 57 percent of the total]. Seven hundred and forty-nine [94 percent] were due to fireworks, 35 [5 percent] to stray-bullets and 10 [1 percent] to fireworks ingestion," it said in a report. The lone casualty was a woman who ingested piccolo powder last month, the department said. The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported some 52 people were arrested for illegal possession and sale of firecrackers, with an estimated value of almost P2 million.

Many victims are kids Of the 794 cases reported, the most affected age group was the 1- to 10-year-olds, with 243 cases (32 percent). At least 584 (78 percent) of the overall cases were male. At least 437 cases (57 percent) were active users or those who set off the firecrackers. Of the active users aged 18 and above, 68 (37 percent) were under the influence of alcohol. While 585 (78 percent) resulted in various degrees of skin burns without amputation, 48 (6 percent) of the victims had to undergo some form of amputation, and 116 (16 percent) suffered eye injuries. At least 397 (53 percent) of the victims were injured from illegal fireworks of which 220 (29 percent) were due to Piccolo, a type of firecraker. Four hundred eighty-eight (65 percent) of the victims were injured in the street, the DOH said. Stray bullets At least 35 were injured by stray bullet, with the victims aged six to 79. At least 23 were males. Forty-nine of the stray-bullet injuries happened while the victims were at home. Health Secretary Enrique Ona earlier predicted that at the rate of the casualties were being recorded since Dec. 21, the figures could reach 900 to 1,000 by New Year’s Day. The DOH started its Kampanya Kontra Paputok on Dec. 21, and will last until Jan. 5. In 2009, the recorded 870 firecracker-related injuries, 35 stray bullet injuries, and two ingestions of Watusi, popularly known as the dancing firecracker. Malacañang saddened A Malacañang official said the Palace was saddened by the number of firecracker-related injuries during the holidays. Firecracker-related injuries increased despite an appeal from President Benigno Aquino III to stay safe in celebrating the New Year, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang said in an interview with government radio dzRB. “He’s just calling on the people to do what’s good for themselves. I guess we can say na nakakalungkot na hindi naman nasunod iyon noong nakaraang New Year," Carandang said. Local government units should do something about it, especially since most of those injured were children, he said. - KBK/VS/HS, GMANews.TV