Monday, December 31, 2007 (Philippines)

From fire-causing rockets to safe "torotots", vendors of firecrackers and other items for the New Year's Eve revelry line the sidewalks of busy streets. Photos taken along Lazatin Boulevard in the City of San Fernando. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Chris Navarro) CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Health (DOH) is ready for emergencies that may arise during the revelries for New Year, said Rene Franco, Health Education and Promotion Officer 3 of the DOH's Center for Health Development (CHD) 3, in an interview with Sun.Star Pampanga over the weekend. Franco said all DOH-retained hospitals are already on red alert status to receive and attend to possible victims of firecracker explosions. Post your comments here on the Makati siege [full story]