Hospitals on white alert for firecracker victims

MANILA, Philippines - All Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals will be on Code White Alert starting today for any untoward incident in the prelude to Christmas.

A Code White Alert means that all hospital personnel are on standby for deployment and reinforcement for medical and other services when necessary.

Health Assistant Secretary Gerardo Bayugo said the white alert was imposed to make sure that hospitals can attend immediately and adequately to all types of patients. 

The DOH is on guard against firecracker-related injuries during the Christmas season. 

DOH spokesman Lyndon Lee Suy asked parents to stop their children from exploding any type of firecracker and pyrotechnics.

The DOH is turning to parents to minimize injuries in the New Year, he added.

Lee Suy said losing a limb to firecrackers could affect one’s life so other noise-making devices must be used to usher in the year 2015.

“I hope that adults will take pity on the children whose life can be ruined by firecrackers,” he said. “Even the seemingly harmless pyrotechnics could lead to life-changing injuries so it’s best not to let them touch any pyrotechnics at all.” 

Guns of police to be muzzled

The service firearms of police officers nationwide will be muzzled to send a strong message to gun holders to avoid firing their guns during the Christmas revelry.

Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, warned all gun holders against indiscriminate and illegal discharge of firearms to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

“This traditional gun muzzling is a strong message to all gun owners, especially our policemen and soldiers who are the primary enforcers of the law, to refrain from firing their guns and help prevent casualties and injuries during the revelry of yuletide,” he said.

The PNP is coordinating with the Armed Forces, other law enforcement agencies and local governments for intensified intelligence efforts to identify violators, Espina said. –With  Cecille Suerte Felipe