CITY OF MALOLOS—Illegal firecrackers still proliferate in the fireworks industry in Bulacan as 32 out of the 186 recorded fireworks-related injuries during the new year revelry were caused by the prohibited types.
Although sky rocket or kwitis was the top cause of burns or injuries based on report obtained from Bulacan Public Health Office, (PHO), there were burns recorded caused by prohibited Goodbye Philippines,kwitis, large size Judas belt, watusi, Super Lolo, Plapla, piccolo, whistle device, giant whistle bomb, boga, bawang and atomic bomb.
The Department of Health (DOH) regional office also reported the same prohibited firecrackers including Kabasi and Mother Rockets were also the top causes of injuries in the region.
The records were within Dec. 21-Jan. 4, PHO Head Edwin Tecson said.
The proliferation of the illegal types of firecrackers came despite stern order by Gov. Daniel Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis Castro to all barangay captains in fireworks-producing towns Bocaue, Sta. Maria and other areas to check each residential houses and backyards as explosions and clandestine manufacture of illegal fireworks are reported in backyard operations.
Bulacan police director Col. Relly Arnedo has also launched an intensified crackdown against manufacturers of prohibited firecrackers which resulted to the arrest of close to 20 individuals in violation of RA 7183, the laws on manufacture, sales and distribution of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
Skyrocket or Kwitis caused 54 injuries, followed by five-star which caused 30 cases and fountain which caused 27 injuries. Lucas which is also not prohibited have caused 21 injuries. Only the large five-star is prohibited, the regular types are not prohibited. Plapla caused 9 injuries and prohibited bawang, baby rocket, boga, atomic bomb, piccolo, watusi, large size Judas belt, giant whistle bomb, Goodbye Philippines caused 1-5 injuries.
Of the 186 cases, 148 are male and 28 are female with 10-19 years old which recorded 51, the highest cases; followed by 10 years old below with 38 cases, followed by ages 20-29 with 34 cases, 30-39 years old with 30 cases, 40-49 years old with 16 cases, 50-59 years old with 11 cases and 60 and above with6 cases.
City of San Jose del Monte with 26 incidents recorded the highest fireworks-related injuries followed by Sta. Maria with 19 and Bocaue with 18. Pandi town recorded 14 cases, Guiguinto has 11 cases and Balagtas with 10. The remaining cities and towns recorded below 10 cases with Pulilan town with only 1 case.
Tecson said the injuries mostly included burns in the hands, head, eyes, arm and forearm, legs and foot. There was one case of blast injury with amputation, he said.
