DAGUPAN CITY – The Department of Health warned the people in the Ilocos region to avoid using “boga” to welcome the new year due to the danger that the improvised cannon brings to the user.

DOH-Ilocos Region Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco urged parents to keep an eye on their children as injuries involving boga in the region have been increasing, particularly in the province of Pangasinan. 

Sydiongco said they have recorded 14 boga victims since Dec. 21 who are between 10 to 14-years-old and is the leading cause of fireworks injuries.

“Boga is still the leading cause of fireworks injuries since Dec. 21, 2024, the start of the monitoring of FWRIs, with 14 cases (45.2 percent),” she said.

We are reminding everyone that the mere possession, use, and sale of boga is punishable under Republic Act No. 7183 (An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices) and other relevant ordinances, she added.

Other FWRI were Five Star with five (16.1 percent), baby rocket, two (6.5 percent), whistle bomb, two  (6.5 percent), kwitis or sky rocket, one (3.2 percent), Fountain, one (3.2 percent), and others, six (19.4 percent). 

The DOH-Regional Yuletide Injury Surveillance Report No. 5 from Dec. 21 to 25 said 31 FWRIs were reported. Pangasinan has the highest with 21 (67.7 percent), followed by Ilocos Sur with seven (22.6 percent), La Union, two (6.5 percent), and Ilocos Norte, one (3.2 percent. 

Twenty sustained blast and burn injuries while nine suffered eye injuries. Twenty-eight cases were treated in various health facilities and were sent home while three were admitted. No deaths were reported. 

Sydiongco urged the people to avoid using prohibited firecrackers in welcoming 2025.

Let us all avoid using illegal and dangerous firecrackers and enjoy the new year by celebrating the occasion safer and more meaningful with our families and friends, Sydiongco said.

Meanwhile, police disposed of confiscated illegal firecrackers in Nueva Ecija on Friday, Dec. 27.

Supervised by provincial police chief Police Col. Ferdinand Germino, the activity was led by Police Lt. Col. Manny Israel and personnel from the Nueva Ecija Provincial Fire Office headed by Senior Fire Office 3 Victor de Guzman.

“Let us welcome the New Year safely and responsibly by avoiding the use of illegal firecrackers. There are many other meaningful ways to celebrate without putting ourselves or our loved ones at risk,” Germino said. 

Germino encouraged the people to participate in promoting safety by reporting illegal selling and distribution of firecrackers to authorities to ensure a secure and accident-free new year celebration.