DOH – Region 1 health officials and city government officers led by Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco and Mayor Belen T. Fernandez led the ceremonial blowing of trumpet or “torotot” during the kick-off activity for the “Iwas Paputok 2023” held at the city plaza in Dagupan City on December 14, 2023.
THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region together with the City Government of Dagupan kicked-off the “Ligtas Christmas Para sa Healthy Pilipinas” and “Iwas Paputok Campaign” at the Dagupan City Plaza to promote health and active lifestyle during the Christmas season and to prevent revelers from suffering fireworks-related injuries and accidents during New Year festivities celebration.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco strongly advised residents to engage only in healthy activities during the holidays. “Alam kong hindi natin maiiwasan ang maghanda at kumain ng masasarap na pagkain gaya ng litson, hamon at iba pa tuwing Pasko at Bagong Taon but we also must practice healthier choices to protect us against many chronic non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.”
“Let us practice food moderation. Eating a variety of foods and consuming less salt, sugars and saturated and industrially-produced trans-fats, are essential for a healthy diet. Lagi nating iisipin na ang lahat ng sobra ay nakasasama sa ating kalusugan,” she reminded.
To celebrate a safe and healthy holiday season, DOH encourages the public to practice and follow healthy habits such as “Iwas Paputok, “Healthy Handaan” and “Healthy Celebration”.
Sydiongco also told the public to find alternative ways to make loud noises. “Mas importante ang health and safety sa pagsalubong ng Bagong Taon. And the best way to celebrate the New Year is to be with your family, spend quality time with everyone at home and plan together for the coming year.”
The “Iwas Paputok” Campaign was launched in Pangasinan, the province with the highest number of casualties during last year’s revelry with a total of 74 fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) followed by La Union with 16, Ilocos Sur – 7 and Ilocos Norte – 3, for a total of 100 FWRIs for 2022-2023.
Data from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) also revealed that children aged 5 to 9 years old are the most affected age group. Among the types of FWRI were blast and burn and eye injury.
For 2021-2022, a total of 67 FWRI cases were recorded with the province of Pangasinan with the most number of FWRI with 40, La Union with 11 and Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur both with 8 casualties each. Most affected age group were 20 to 14 years old.
“Kwitis” or skyrockets is the major cause of injury. It is designed to propel from 40–50 feet before exploding. Although it is legal to buy and sell this type of firework, it still poses a danger, especially to untrained hands who want to use it.
“Kung hindi talaga maiwasang gumamit ng mga fireworks dahil ito ay naging tradisyon na ng karamihan sa atin, mangyaring ipaubaya sa mga may edad ang paggamit at pagsindi sa mga ito, Huwag utusan at ipaubaya sa mga bata upang sila ay malayo sa disgrasya.”
“Let us keep our children away from fireworks. Salubungin natin ang Pasko at Bagong Taon na ligtas,” Sydiongco concluded.
Health and city government officials led by Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco and Mayor Belen T. Fernandez led the pledge of commitment to adhere to the principles of the “Iwas Paputok 2023” campaign held at the city plaza in Dagupan City on December 14, 2023.
DOH – Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco and Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez leads the signing of the pledge of commitment for the “Iwas Paputok 2023” campaign during the kick-off activity held at the city plaza on December 14, 2023
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