CAMP BGEN OSCAR M. FLORENDO, La Union -- The Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) had sustained a generally peaceful New Year’s revelry in the region with ‘zero’ fatal casualty.
However, PBGen John C. Chua, the regional director of the PRO1, said that some cases of minor injuries caused by firecrackers in the region were reported during the New Year’s Day celebration.
As of 8 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2023, the Department of Health Center for Health Development-Regional Office 1 had recorded 28 fireworks-related cases, including 18 in Pangasinan, four in La Union, and two each in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte during the New Year’s Day celebration.
BGen. Chua said the peaceful yuletide celebration was the result of the combined efforts of the Philippine National Police, Department of Health (DOH), other law enforcement agencies, local government units and the community who supported the government's campaign against the use of illegal firecrackers.
The PRO1 had maximized police presence on the streets, in churches and in places of convergence to ensure the peaceful welcoming of the year 2023.
“This effort was also complemented by an early and extensive information drive of our police on the ground and inspection of stalls selling firecrackers,” said BGen. Chua.
“Along with the intensified campaign against illegal firecrackers, PRO 1 is also continuously implementing strict adherence to traffic rules and regulations to minimize vehicular traffic accidents during the holiday season,” he added.
He also lauded the cooperation of other law enforcement agencies and force multipliers in making the New Year’s celebration peaceful.
A total of 5,152 men (2,984 PNP personnel, 516 augmented personnel from PNP/PCG/AFP, and 1,652 advocacy group members) were posted to continuously monitor the peace and order situation in the region following the New Year revelry where post-holiday traffic jams were expected.