(MANILA BULLETIN)

Navotas 1st district Rep. Toby Tiangco is appealing to the public--especially parents of small children--to observe the regulations of the local government on the use of firecrackers this coming New Year.

Tiangco's reminder follows a Department of Health (DOH) report indicating that 43 individuals nationwide sustained firecracker-related injuries from Dec. 22 to 25.

In Navotas, four sustained minor injuries, including two children aged 7 and 9.

"Nakakalungkot dahil karamihan ng mga naaaksidente sa paputok ay mga bata (It's sad because most of those who suffered firecracker accidents were children)," Tiangco said.

"Ayon sa report ng DOH, 20 sa mga naaksidente ay mga kabataang may edad na 19 pababa," he noted.

(According to the report of the DOH, 20 of those who injured were youths aged 19 and below.)

"Nanawagan po tayo sa lahat na sumunod sa pamantayan ng ating mga LGUs at maging responsable sa paggamit ng paputok," added the veteran congressman.

(We appeal to everyone to follow the rules set by the LGUs and to be responsible in using firecrackers.)