The Philippines was able to drastically reduce the number of fireworks injuries during the holiday season with no deaths recorded, the Department of Health said Friday.
“From Dec 21, 2020 to Jan 1, 2021, a total of 50 injuries were reported. 49 fireworks-related injuries and 1 stray bullet injury. This is 85% lower than the 290 cases reported last year in the same period,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said during a press conference at the East Avenue Medical Center.
“There was no case of firework ingestion and no death reported,” he added.
During the briefing aired live on Teleradyo, Duque said the number of injuries is even 89% lower than the 5-year average for the same period from 2015 to 2019.
Duque said the National Capital Region still has the greatest number of injuries at 22. These are from Manila (12 cases), Caloocan (4), Pasig (2), QC (2), Malabon (1) and Marikina (1). He said it was an 88% decrease in cases for the National Capital Region compared to last year.
Following NCR are Calabarzon with five cases, and Regions 1, 5, 6 with four cases each.
"The significant reduction in the total number of cases may be attributed to the far-reaching effects of COVID-19 pandemic affecting people’s willingness and ability to celebrate through the use of fireworks," Duque said.
He also lauded local government units and local chief executives who banned the use of fireworks.
"We also observed there was a change in behavior of Filipinos towards health. Due to the pandemic, Filipinos became more aware and involved in ensuring health and safety of their family and community," the Health chief said.
