AN ADVOCACY pushing for the conduct of a community fireworks display to minimize, if not eliminate, firecracker-related injuries during the Yuletide Season and New Year’s revelry has been launched by the Department of Health (DOH) regional office in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Dr. Agnes Mabolo, DOH regional non-communicable disease cluster chief, recommended that each village should have one fireworks display area to ensure that its conduct is regulated and handled by knowledgeable people.

Mabolo said the advocacy is in line with Executive Order No. 28 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte to regulate and control the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

The conduct of community fireworks display is stipulated in Section 1 of E.O No. 28, which seeks to minimize the risk of injuries and casualties.

The advocacy is anchored on the slogan “Iwas Paputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok!”, according to Mabolo.

She said they recorded seven cases of firecracker-related injuries in the region in 2017, lower than 11 in 2016 and 12 in 2015.

In Zamboanga City, authorities recorded zero firecracker-related and stray bullet incidents since the use and sale of firecrackers were banned in 2013.

Mabolo encouraged other local government units in the region to approve an ordinance banning the sale and use of firecrackers.