Quezon City — ENVIRONMENTAL justice group BAN Toxics, in partnership with Payatas B Elementary School, launched its annual school-based Toxics-Free and Waste-Free “Iwas Paputok” Campaign. An estimated 2,000 participants joined the activity, including students, teachers, parents, and community members, alongside representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Barangay Payatas B LGU.
Anchored on the theme “Iwas Paputok, Iwas Disgrasya, Iwas Polusyon,” the campaign promotes a cleaner, safer, and toxics-free approach to celebrating the Christmas and New Year holidays.
As part of BAN Toxics’ Toxics-Free and Waste-Free Schools Program (TFSP), it aims to raise awareness of the environmental and health risks associated with firecrackers, encourage safe and eco-friendly holiday practices, and help prevent or reduce fireworks-related injuries (FWRI), particularly among children.
“Our youth must understand the risks of firecrackers and the importance of celebrating responsibly. By educating them today, we are nurturing a generation that values safety and environmental protection,” said School Principal Antonio Miranda.
A noise barrage and lively display of creative, eco-friendly noisemakers marked the countdown to the campaign launch, reinforcing the message that holiday celebrations can be joyful without relying on harmful firecrackers.
“As we strive for a safer celebration for the coming year, we call on the public to refrain from lighting firecrackers and to choose safer, non-polluting alternatives,” said Thony Dizon, Advocacy and Campaign Officer of BAN Toxics. “This shift not only protects the environment but also safeguards public health, especially that of children.”
According to the Department of Health, firework-related injuries have risen to 843 cases in 2025, up from 610 cases in 2024, reflecting a roughly 38% increase year-on-year, with three deaths due to firecrackers and one death from a stray bullet.
The use of firecrackers in the Philippines is regulated by Executive Order No. 28, which limits fireworks use to authorized community displays under controlled conditions. The group reminds the public that dangerous and illegal firecrackers remain prohibited under Republic Act 7183, including Watusi, Piccolo, Five Star (Big), Lolo Thunder, Giant Bawang, Atomic Bomb/Triangle, large-size Judas Belt, Goodbye Napoles, Goodbye Philippines, and all overweight or oversized firecrackers containing more than 0.2 grams of explosive powder.
Firecrackers release harmful pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and chromium. Prolonged exposure can damage the respiratory and nervous systems and increase the risk of cardiovascular and other serious health problems.
“We call on the government, the DOH, DTI, and other responsible agencies to initiate similar “Iwas Paputok” awareness campaigns, tighten the monitoring of online and offline markets for illegal firecrackers, and encourage the public, especially children, to avoid buying and using them,” Dizon emphasized.
“Firecrackers pose serious risks, not just to our health and safety, but also to air quality and the environment, with tons of mixed waste generated during festive celebrations. We can enjoy the holidays without jeopardizing public health or the planet. Let’s choose a clean, safe, toxics-free, and waste-free way to celebrate,” he added.
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