Monday, January 05, 2009 Firecracker injuries drops to 13 in Abra, 1 in Benguet By Ernie Olson Jr.
WHILE no person reportedly incurred any pyrotechnic or firecracker-related injury in Baguio this New Year's celebration, 13 were victimized in Abra, and one was hurt in Benguet.
Of the 14 victims injured by firecrackers from December 27, 2008 up to January 1 this year, half were reported to be adults. The rest were minors.
Dr. Myrna Cabotaje of the Center for Health Development regional office said while 10 of the 14 injured victims were considered active or "injured while holding or lighting firecrackers," none of them were under the influence of liquor at the time they were hurt.
Three other victims were also described to have been passive or "injured while watching or participating," while one, who was hit with a rocket, remained unclassified.
Cabotaje identified the adult victims as Elizabeth Buenafe, Rogelyn Viste, Reysel Bides, Benjamin Bersalona, Mary Grace Balderas, Christopher Rey Valera and Ryan Ballo.
Of the minor victims, almost all of them hail from the Abra towns of Bangued, Bucay and Lagangilang. They were either injured with piccolos, lusis, five-star firecrackers or whistle bombs.
The victims -- reportedly aged 5, 7, 9 and 10 -- sustained wounds on their hands. Another one sustained injuries on both eyes.
