In a concerted effort to manage fireworks-related injuries (FWRI), public and private hospitals, along with Rural Health Units (RHUs) in Bulacan, have actively attended to the needs of 164 affected individuals during the holiday season.
The total count of FWRIs, recorded from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2, is 1.23 percent higher than the 162 cases reported during the same period last year.
Most injuries were reported among males, accounting for 79 percent of the cases, while females accounted for 21 percent.
The geographical distribution of injuries includes 23 cases from Santa Maria; 21 from the City of San Jose Del Monte; 17 from Bocaue; 11 from Baliwag City; 10 each from Calumpit, Marilao, and San Rafael; 9 from the City of Malolos; 7 from the City of Meycauayan; 6 each from Balagtas and Hagonoy; 5 each from Guiguinto, Plaridel, and San Ildefonso; 4 each from Norzagaray, Pandi, and San Miguel; 2 each from Bulakan, Bustos, and Pulilan; and 1 from Angat.
Analysis of the injuries revealed that the most common fireworks causing harm were Kwitis (41 cases), Five Star (35 cases), Luces (14 cases), others and unknown (12 cases each), Fountain (10 cases), Boga (9 cases), Pla-pla (5 cases), Piccolo and Judas Belt (4 cases each), Whistle Device and Kwiton (3 cases each), Sparklers, Roman Candle, Giant Whistle Bomb, and Bawang (2 cases each), and Pillbox, Kabasi, Baby Rocket, and Homemade (1 case each).
The types of injuries varied, with the breakdown as follows: 131 cases involved blasts without amputation, 6 involved blasts with amputation, 19 were classified as eye injuries, 5 involved multiple injuries, and 3 fell under other fireworks-related injuries.
"Our hospitals are on heightened alert this holiday season. Ipinatupad po natin ang Executive Order No. 40 series of 2024 o ang Oplan Ingat Paputok upang mas bumaba kung hindi man tuluyang mawala ang mabiktima ng mga paputok. (We implemented Executive Order No. 40 series of 2024 or the Oplan Ingat Paputok, to decrease the number of fireworks victims). Fireworks can be dangerous, and we hope this data serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures," Gov. Daniel Fernando said.
As local health facilities continue to provide necessary medical assistance, the Provincial Health Office-Public Health urges the community to report any fireworks-related incidents promptly to ensure effective intervention and care.