By CESAR JOLITO III
Negros Island Region (NIR) had significantly fewer fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) as it welcomed 2026, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
DOH-NIR data showed 105 FWRIs were documented from December 21, 2025 to January 2, 2026 — a 52.6 percent decrease from last year’s 131 cases.
Of the number, Negros Occidental logged 75 FWRIs, Negros Oriental had 26, while Bacolod City and Siquijor had two FWRIs each.
Among the cases, 47 were blast or burn injuries, 13 were eye injuries, eight involved both eye injuries and blast/burns, and one case required hand amputation.
The severe amputation case was transferred to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod for treatment.
At a press conference held at CLMMRH on Thursday, January 1, DOH-NIR Assistant Regional Director Adrian Hort Ramos attributed the decline to the strengthened “Iwas Paputok” campaign.
The initiative was implemented in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and local government units.
PNP reports showed that the majority of the victims were treated as outpatients, but several sustained injuries to the face, hands, arms, and legs after firecrackers exploded prematurely or were ignited recklessly.
In Bago City, a 10-year-old Grade 4 pupil was injured after a “trianggulo” firecracker exploded in Barangay Taloc.
Two minors aged seven and 16 were also hurt when a “pla-pla” detonated near a makeshift campfire in Barangay Poblacion.
Other cases involved teenagers and adults injured by firecrackers such as Piton, Five-Star and “Kamara,” with most sustaining hand and facial injuries.
Several incidents occurred past midnight on January 1, including a 43-year-old driver in Barangay Lag-asan who was struck in the leg by Piton, while an 18-year-old student’s left hand was injured after a Five-Star exploded.
In E.B. Magalona, a 14-year-old minor sustained burn injuries after a “picolo” exploded when ignited by bystanders near a basketball court in Barangay Tuburan.
In Hinigaran, a 75-year-old woman and her two-year-old granddaughter were injured by a sparkler locally known as “pasirit” in Barangay Narauis. Both sustained minor injuries and were treated as outpatients.
In Murcia, a 35-year-old farmer, who was reportedly under the influence of liquor, suffered a lacerated wound after a pla-pla firecracker exploded in Barangay Buenavista.
Several incidents were also recorded in San Carlos City, where victims included a two-year-old child injured by a candle bomb, as well as adults who sustained burns and hand injuries from a fountain and Five-Star.
All victims were treated at local hospitals and later discharged.
In Sipalay City, a 36-year-old man suffered a blast injury to his right arm after a malfunctioning “mortal” firecracker exploded.
He was initially treated at the city infirmary before being referred to a hospital in Kabankalan City.
Meanwhile, in Talisay City, a 17-year-old minor sustained facial injuries after a firecracker exploded near him along the roadside, while two women aged 66 and 35 were injured when a firecracker accidentally hit them as they watched New Year revelers./CJ, WDJ