NO FIRECRACKER incident casualties were recorded in Davao City during the celebration of Christmas Day, December 25, based on a report from the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

According to the SPMC-Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB) mass casualty report, the city maintained its zero firecrackers and stray bullet-related casualty during Christmas Day for two consecutive years.

SPMC-HEMB coordinator Dr. Ricardo Audan said not a single casualty was brought to their emergency room for treatment since the hospital started the “code white alert” on December 21, wherein all medical personnel are on standby for possible emergency influx.

Audan also said not even one from neighboring provinces were rushed to the hospital due to firecracker injury although he said they had recorded previous patients from outside the city, including in Digos City in Davao del Sur and Island Garden City of Samal.

He said it is not surprising since Davao City has an existing Firecracker Ordinance, which bans the selling and using of firecrackers in the jurisdiction of the city since 2002. The ordinance was enacted under the then mayors and currently President Rodrigo Duterte who also wanted it implemented nationwide.

“The city government has since strengthen its campaign against firecrackers since it has an existing ordinance. That’s the main factor as to why we had achieved such,” Audan said in a phone interview on Thursday, December 26.

He added that the sanction and imprisonment clause of the ordinance had also been a “strong factor” why most Dabawenyos would shy away from attempting to use firecrackers during the celebration of Christmas and New Year.

Audan said the “code white alert” status will be until January 8 next year.

Meanwhile, mass casualty report had also recorded a decrease of vehicular accidents this year with eight cases, from last year’s 29 cases.

However, the record noted an upsurge of alleged animal mauling from last year’s zero case to 22 cases this year. Although there has been a reduction of total number this year with 33 cases, from last year’s 37. These include cases of hacked wounds, stabbing, and gunshot wounds.

Meanwhile, Audan reminded the public of moderate eating, especially oily and unhealthy foods including lechon.

“Those with high blood should take their medicine and maintenance,” he said.