DOH launches "Fourmula Kontra Paputok"

CEBU - As a way of continually encouraging the public to welcome the New Year with a bang sans the use of firecrackers, the Department of Health-Central Visayas yesterday launched the Oplan Iwas Paputok promoting the use of “Fourmula Kontra Paputok”.

People are urged to observe this four-bullet formula to prevent injuries and deaths during the Christmas celebration and the New Year revelry – “huwag magpaputok, gumamit ng ibang pampaingay tulad ng tambol, torotot, atbp.; kung naputukan, hugasan kaagad ang sugat ng sabon at malinis na tubig at agad na pumunta sa pinakamalapit na ospital o health center; huwag pulutin ang hindi pumutok na paputok; at huwag magpaputok ng baril.”

DOH-7 regional director Susana Madarieta said that since Filipinos likely combine western influence and the cultural way of celebrating Christmas and New Year, they launched the Fourmula Kontra Paputok in their efforts to reduce injuries from firecrackers.

All centers of health development were mandated to intensify awareness campaigns on the hazards of firecracker use so people may realize that pyrotechnics offer less of the benefits and more of the harm.

Also, gun owners are encouraged to welcome the surging in of 2009 without hurting or killing other revelers.

The Cebu City Health Department, in support to the program of DOH, has also started its campaign. In relation to this, it will be crafting new proposed ordinances directed at achieving a zero-injury New Year.

Dr. Fe Cabucao, city health officer, said that the city government has already held an initial meeting to talk about the actions of the government. She said they have already put up posters and pinned advisories on the drive against the use of firecrackers.

Just recently, Cabucao said, the city health met with Councilor Augustus “Jun” Pe to discuss the stand of the local health on the use of firecrackers. The City Market Authority is thinking of passing an ordinance mandating that firecrackers be sold in designated areas only.

Cabucao pointed out that these designated areas must be in open spaces where, in case of accidents like fire, no one will get hurt or killed.

Cabucao added that since they can not totally ban vendors of firecrackers because there are licensed manufacturers, what they are trying to do is regulate its use.

They focus more on advocating that the use of firecrackers is hazardous to health and can highly cause fire. In schools where selling of “watusi” and other minor firecrackers is rampant, Cabucao said that with the help of the police and the barangay tanods, vendors near schools will be closely monitored.

Further, Madarieta said that this is necessary because firecrackers like watusi contain potassium nitrate and potassium chlorate which are toxic to the liver.

Watusi, when ingested, can explode inside the intestine causing internal bleeding to children who are mostly the victims.

The selling and buying of watusi and other major firecrackers are totally banned under Republic Act 7183, an act regulating the sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

DOH-7 expects a decrease in the cases, and possibly zero case of injuries related to firecrackers, this year as the previous years showed declining records of incidents.

In 2005, a total of 177 injuries were recorded, 118 injuries in 2006 and 108 injuries last year. Common victims are youngsters, ages 16 to 17 years old.

Madarieta advised the public to refrain from spending their money for firecrackers; she called on people to instead save it or spend for healthy foods.

She also reminded gun owners not to fire their weapons to avoid cases of injuries or deaths caused by stray bullets.

The DOH and all hospitals are mandated to be on alert this coming New Year. Madarieta said there are enough and prepared health personnel to man hospitals and clinics. — Jessica Ann Pareja/MEEV(THE FREEMAN)