TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health logged a total of eight firecracker-related injuries in Eastern Visayas at the end of their monitoring for the holiday season on Friday, Jan. 6.
No fatality was recorded but the number of cases was 60 percent higher compared to 2021 with only five.
Majority or 75 percent of the victims were male aged five to 45-years-old. Six of them sustained blast or burn injuries without amputation, one was amputated, and one had an eye injury.
Seven were treated and sent home within the day while a 45-year-old man from Catbalogan City, Samar had one of his fingers amputated in a hospital when the five-star he was lighting exploded.
The Police Regional Office 8 logged zero incidents of indiscriminate firing during the holiday season.
PRO 8 chief Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil attributed this accomplishment to the intensified and strengthened security measures under a full alert status in line with “Oplan: Ligtas Paskuhan 2022.”
Marbil said PRO 8 activated its security plan to ensure the public’s safety in welcoming the New Year by establishing Police Assistance Desks (PADs) and mobilizing personnel to conduct foot and mobile patrols.
“Your PNP PRO 8 is glad that we welcomed the New Year peacefully. We, in the PNP, assure the public of our dedicated service," Marbil said.