CEBU CITY – At least 37 firecracker-related incidents were recorded in Central Visayas from Dec. 2 to New Year’s Day.
Data from the Department of Health-Central Visayas showed that two persons were wounded by stray bullets in Cebu province and Lapu-Lapu City.
Most of the firecracker-related injuries were from Cebu with 16.
Lapu-Lapu City had five, four each in Bohol, Cebu City, and Negros Oriental, while two were in Siquijor.
The DOH-7 said 14 victims sustained injuries in the hand. Thirteen had eye injuries, the DOH-7 added.
Most of the injuries were caused by “lantaka” or homemade bamboo or PVC cannon with eight.
The DOH-7 did not receive any report of firecracker ingestion.
In Cebu, the celebration of the New Year was generally peaceful, according to the chief of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO).
Col. Rommel Ochave said the security planning and safety measures that the CPPO mapped out proved to be effective as no major incidents were reported during the New Year revelry.
“We are thankful to the public for the cooperation and for abiding our laws and regulations. With the help of the local government units, our New Year celebration was peaceful,” Ochave said.