DOH: Western Visayas ranks second for firecracker incidents

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City recorded four firecracker-related injuries during New Year’s Eve celebrations last Monday.

Based on a radio report, CLMMRH recorded one incident in Bacolod City involving a 14-year-old minor, who sustained burns on three fingers after lighting a triangle firecracker.

Two minors, cousins from Talisay City, were also confined to CLMMRH with one sustaining injuries to his fingers and the other to his mouth and foot.

The injuries were attributed to a firecracker known as “Five Star.”

A 22-year-old man at the hospital also sustained wounds to his hands from “Five Star.”

The Bacolod City Police Office released a separate report indicating they recorded eight firecracker-related injuries during New Year’s Eve celebrations, all of which were attributed to triangle and candle bomb.

The Department of Health, meanwhile, yesterday revealed a 68 percent drop in firecracker-related injuries. However, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III named the Western Visayas as the province with the second highest number of firecracker-related injuries with 26 recorded cases.

The National Capital Region came out on top with 53 cases.

Duque attributed most firecracker-related injuries to “Kwitis” and PVC cannon, locally known as “Boga.”/DGB, WDJ