ILOILO CITY — In preparation for welcoming 2025 safely, the Department of Health (DOH) Western Visayas through its Center for Health and Development (CHD) launched its annual “Iwas Paputok” caravan this Friday, November 8, 2024.
The campaign was rolled out early to encourage safer celebrations without the use of firecrackers.
The caravan began at Muelle Loney in Iloilo City Proper and proceeded to Punta Villa Resort in Arevalo, featuring a health talk, press conference, and pledges of support from various government agencies, local leaders, and barangay health workers (BHWs).
DOH Western Visayas regional director Dr. Adriano Suba-an urged the public to avoid fireworks and firecrackers and instead consider using alternative noise-making activities for a safer New Year celebration.
According to the agency, the last holiday season saw 294 fireworks-related injuries in the region, including one fatality recorded from December 21, 2023, to January 6, 2024.
Most injuries involved blast or burn wounds, primarily caused by kwitis, boga, and triangulo.
Dr. Suba-an also directed DOH hospitals, provincial and district health facilities, to ensure the availability of emergency medical services and to prepare dedicated areas for treating fireworks-related injuries once the Code White Alert is declared.
The “Iwas Paputok” campaign is part of the broader “Ligtas Christmas” initiative, which includes health-focused programs Healthy Handaan and BiyaHealthy. Representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police (PNP) also joined the caravan activities today.
