ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) 6, through its Health Promotion Unit, recently gathered the region’s Multisectoral Alliance to hold a meeting on fireworks injury prevention at Punta Villa Resort, here.

The meeting was called to by Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, OIC chief of the DOH 6 Local Health Systems Development (LHSD) unit, to promote the observance of safe activities and practices amidst the upcoming holidays.

According to Sta. Lucia, the surveillance period for Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR) of DOH commences every December 21 of the current year until January 5 of the following year.

aged 11 to 20 and one to 10 years old with injuries in the eyes, hands, and heads.

Meanwhile, the provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental recorded the highest number of FWRI cases with 28 and 43, respectively; then, the provinces of Aklan and Capiz with 16 each; Bacolod City – 10; Antique – 5; Iloilo City – 4; and Guimaras – 1.

DOH 6 data also revealed that the reported cases are reported to be mostly caused by firecrackers including triangles, commonly known as triyanggulo, improvised firecrackers called “boga,” and others.

With the said data, Sta. Lucia pointed out that Western Visayas ranked third in the country for several years with the most FWRI cases.

To prevent a further increase in such cases in the region for the upcoming holidays, DOH 6 intensified its “Iwas Paputok” campaign.

(Code Red) of all BFP stations and personnel starting Dec. 15,2022 to Jan. 5,2023 and reporting and post-event analysis.

On the other hand, the Philippine National Police (PNP), through Police Executive Master Sergeant (PEMS) Beutina Barrieta of Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), discussed the salient features and the mandate of the Philippine National Police in the implementation of the Republic Act No. 7183 which regulates the sale, manufacture, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

She noted that the PNP is to conduct onsite inspection on areas allowed by LGUs to sell and use firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices allowed by the said law.

“The DOH has not been remiss in doing its task, in doing advocacy, we even do monitoring together with the PNP and BFP. But tradition remains to be the most challenging factor. That is why we enjoin everyone that even in your own little way in your communities and offices to spread our advocacy on firework-related injury prevention,” Sta. Lucia stressed. (JBG/FRG/PIA6)