THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region today reported a total of 221 firework-related injuries (FWRI) since the start of the surveillance and monitoring activity on December 21, 2024 up to January 6, 2025 which is 76.2% greater than the number of cases during the same period last year with 126.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said that Pangasinan topped the list of provinces with the highest number of FWRI cases with 119 followed by La Union with 38, Ilocos Sur – 35 and Ilocos Norte – 29.
“Boga is still the leading cause of injury among 10-14 years old that is why I urged everyone to strictly enforce a ban on the sale, assembly and use of boga to lessen the injuries next year.”
“We are encouraging local government units to enact ordinances to ban this improvised device on their respective communities to avoid future injuries, especially to minors who are the most common and affected users,” she stated.
According to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) there were 173 FWRI cases who suffered blast/burn injury without amputation, 43 eye injury cases, 4 blast/burn injury with amputation and 1 stray bullet victim. Only 1 death was recorded, a 40 years old male from Dagupan City.
A total of thirty-four (34) FWRI cases were under the influence of liquor.
Sydiongco reminded that these injuries can be avoided through strict enforcement of ordinances on the use of fireworks and firecrackers especially among minors.
“The DOH on its part, will continue to advocate for the total ban on the use of fireworks and firecrackers for the safety of everyone,” she emphasized.
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