Government: Refrain from using firecrackers, pyrotechnics to prevent injuries and loss of lives!

(Photo Credit: Sidney Snoeck)

The Aquino administration has appealed to the public to refrain from using dangerous firecrackers and pyrotechnics to prevent injuries and loss of lives during the New Year celebration, a Palace official said. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda made the appeal during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday following the report of the Department of Health (DOH) that there were already victims of firecrackers even before the New Year's revelry.

From December 21-26 this year, there were a total of 71 fireworks-related injuries and one stray bullet case. However, the DOH stressed that the number of cases is 33% lower compared to the same period last year.

According to the DOH, there were no deaths reported. Last year for the same period, there were 108 fireworks-related injuries: 99 from fireworks, 8 from stray bullets, and 1 from firecracker ingestion.

"If I remember, ang sabi ng Pangulo (Benigno S. Aquino III) noon, kung sana imbes na magpaputok manood na lang tayo, mag-gather tayo sa common areas to watch fireworks. Marami pong fireworks on display this coming New Year so ‘yun po ang gawin sana natin," Lacierda said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is strictly enforcing the law on firecrackers and pyrotechnics, Lacierda said.

"At kung gagamit ng paputok, sana ‘yung mga recommended (safe products) lang—may sinabi ang PNP. But the PNP on its own is also going on a campaign against the more fatal and more powerful firecrackers which do inflict damage on the citizens," he said.

Lacierda stressed that the government continues to step up its campaign against dangerous firecrackers and pyrotechnics for the safety of the public.

The campaign also aims to avoid or minimize the adverse effects of firecrackers to the environment.

"We would certainly encourage the citizens to refrain from using the more dangerous firecrackers. It would be to your loss. It would really mean a loss of a limb, a loss of an arm, and even your life. So ang ating pakiusap sa ating mga mamamayan ay magdahan-dahan sa paggamit po ng mga paputok," he said.

Source: Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)

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