CEBU CITY – Nineteen firecracker-related injuries have been recorded in Region 7 from December 21 to 28, the Department of Health in Central Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-7) reported.
The DOH-7 said Cebu province has the highest number of cases with eight followed by Cebu City with five.
Four firecracker-related incidents were recorded in Bohol and one each in Negros Oriental and Mandaue City.
TheDOH-7 said most of these cases were caused by the use of “boga” or improvised cannon.
Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal, regional epidemiologist of DOH-7, said that nine cases happened on Christmas Day. Most of the victims sustained “minor blasting wounds.”
Cañal said the DOH-7 has yet to receive a report of firecracker ingestion which usually involves minor victims. There were also no fatalities caused by firecracker blast, said Cañal.
Authorities have discouraged the use of firecrackers to meet the New Year. The public was advised to use alternative materials to create noise to welcome the New Year.
According to lore, making noise to greet the New Year is said to ward off bad spirits and intentions.