Stray baby rockets hit 2

THREE men from Talisay City and Minglanilla town were brought to the hospital after they sustained injuries from firecracker accidents during the New Year celebration.

Silvestre Durado, 24, and Jeric Ohaga, 19, both residents of Talisay City, were brought to the city district hospital in Barangay Pooc on Jan. 1 after they sustained injuries from stray baby rockets, locally known as “kwitis.”

Durado, a resident of Barangay Biasong, reportedly was hit on his legs, while Ohaga, of Barangay Tabunok, was hit by a baby rocket on his left eye.

But both men were declared out of danger by responding doctors of the Talisay City District Hospital.

While in Minglanilla town, Prince Burgos, 18, was brought to a government hospital in Cebu City at dawn of the New Year’s Day after he sustained massive injuries when a whistle bomb exploded in his left hand.

PO3 Alfredo Pagaling of the Minglanilla Police Station said the incident occurred when Burgos was celebrating the New Year near his house in Barangay Cuanos, in the same town.

Meanwhile, the Lapu-Lapu City Health Office recorded four cases of firecracker-related injuries last Dec. 31 and one case last Dec. 25.

Dr. Rodolfo Berame, head of the Lapu-Lapu City Health Office, said no one was amputated, but one blast victim suffered eye injury and was brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

The victims’ ages ranged from six to 10, Berame said. The common firecrackers that injured them were luces and piccolo.

Mandaue

In Mandaue City, the City Hospital reported four cases of firecracker-related injuries during New Year’s Eve and two cases last Christmas.

Dr. Edna Seno, head of the Mandaue City Health Office, said they have yet to receive reports from other hospitals.

According to a report from the Centro Police Station, a 10-year-old boy named Limuel Lopez, a resident of Barangay Tipolo, was injured in his right foot after lighting a piccolo.

Jonas Cesar Minise, 23, a resident of Barangay Labogon, was wounded in his left hand after lighting a triangle.

Less fireworks

Eight-year-old Clark Lanuza, a resident of Barangay Alang-Alang, was brought to the Dr. Ignacio M. Cortes General Hospital after sustaining burns caused by a firecracker fountain.

“Based on my personal observation, mingaw ra this year kumpara sa niagi nga mga tuig (this year’s celebration was more quiet compared to previous years),” Seno said in a phone interview.

Seno said the campaign of the Department of Health against firecrackers helped in reducing the number of blast victims this year.

She said she noticed that many people chose not to buy firecrackers, partly because of financial constraints.

About 74 persons from the Central Visayas were injured due to firecracker-related incidents that occurred during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.