The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, Dec. 27 confirmed 23 new cases of fireworks-related injuries, bringing the total number of cases to 75 this holiday season.
The victims were aged between six and 55 and were mostly males.
Forty percent of the cases were in Metro Manila (30 individuals), 12 percent in Central Luzon (nine individuals), and 8 percent in Ilocos Region (six individuals).
The DOH said six of the cases required amputations.
It was noted that 96 percent of the cases occurred at home or on the streets, with males playing an active role in the majority of them.
Illegal fireworks were responsible for approximately 60 percent of the cases, according to the report.
In response to the increasing number of injuries, the DOH issued a stern warning that "fireworks are not toys" and can be lethal.
It urged parents to prioritize safety, saying, "They may be nice to look at, but they are lethal to hold. Parents should give their children the gift of complete hands and fingers. Fathers and older brothers should set an example for the young men in their family."