BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Health-Negros Island Region recorded 96 fireworks-related injuries in the region as of Jan. 2.
Sixty-two of these cases since Dec. 21, 2024 were minors.
Sixty-four victims sustained burns or blast injuries, 26 sustained eye injuries, two had blast and eye injuries, and four suffered blast injuries with amputation.
Negros Occidental had the highest number of cases with 59, followed by 15 in Negros Oriental, 22 in Bacolod City, and two in Siquijor.
Cases in Bacolod were reported in Barangays Alangilan, Cabug, Handumanan, Mandalagan, Banago, Estefania, Villamonte, Bata, Singcang-Airport, Felisa, and Vista Alegre.
Meanwhile, a total of 22,813 passengers were recorded in various seaports in NIR on Thursday, Jan. 2.
The Philippine Coast Guard-District Southern Visayas said 12,741 were outbound and 10,072 were inbound passengers.
Commodore Ludovico Librilla Jr., head of Coast Guard District Southern Visayas, said that many passengers traveled to Siquijor, Cebu, and Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.
The Coast Guard inspected 55 vessels, 46 Roll-on, Roll-off vessels, and 62 motor bancas.
The PCG is on heightened alert from Dec. 20, 2024 to Jan. 3, 2025 to ensure the safety and security of people travelling for the holiday season. Librilla said the occasion was relatively safe as no maritime incidents were reported.