Thursday, January 03, 2008 Firecrackers hurt 100 in Pampanga By Marna H. Dagumboy and Ian Ocampo Flora
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- More than 100 people were injured in firecracker-related incidents during the New Year's Eve in Pampanga, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday.
Dr. Irene Canlas, officer-in-charge of the DOH-Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Resu), said that as of 2 p.m. Wednesday, more than 100 people were recorded injured due to minor blast and burn incidents. She also reported, "zero case" of death due to firecrackers.
Canlas added that no gunshot or stray bullet incident was reported in the province.
She said as of Wednesday afternoon, one eye injury was reported in Resu, adding that most cases of firecracker injuries were recorded during the New Year's Eve, victimizing children aged 13 years old and below.
Records showed that 97 percent of the total number of firecracker injuries recorded this year involved minor blast injuries. Three percent were eye injuries.
Pampanga Provincial Police Director Keith Ernald Singian meantime has confirmed that the holiday season was generally peaceful following the muzzling of police firearms last December 30.
"The holiday season was generally peaceful," Singian said.
Earlier, DOH and police authorities warned the public to be extra careful and avoid illegal firecrackers.
During last year's celebrations, health officials recorded 284 people injured due to firecracker-related incidents. Majority of the victims were wounded by powerful and illegal firecrackers.
In a separate report consolidated by the Provincial Health Office (PHO), it was learned that the Diosdado Macapagal Hospital reported eight injuries, Arayat District Hospital with nine injuries, Bulaon District Hospital with 10 injuries, and Mabalacat District Hospital with four injuries.
Hospitals in the southern towns of the province have also registered a meager number of injuries with Porac District Hospital registering four injuries, nine in Macabebe District Hospital, and seven in Ramona Pangan District Hospital.
Among the 11 injured from Lubao, one is still in critical condition and is confined at the Escolastico Romero District Hospital due to serious wounds sustained from a high-powered firecracker.
Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital (JBLMH), the biggest public medical institution in the province, has recorded 11 injuries since last Wednesday.
The PHO, however, said this year's celebration was much peaceful due to the relatively minor incidents and the obvious decline of firecracker use due to strict government regulation and campaign.
Last year, the DOH has recorded 375 cases of firecracker-related injuries throughout Central Luzon. Of this number, various medical institutions in Pampanga reported 43 victims, while JBLMH reported 34.
Debie Catap, nutritionist and dietician specialist of the PHO, said the result of 2007 statistics is still encouraging since most of the injuries are "minor."
"Mr. Antonio Javier our public health officer is set to give the formal report today," Catap said, adding that the celebration was relatively peaceful despite the recorded injuries.
Statistics obtained from the PHO did not, however, include reports from private hospitals in the province.
