No firecracker injury cases in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the 1.2 million Albayanos celebrated Christmas Eve without firecracker injuries after the health department reported no firecracker injury cases in the province.

Salceda launched the “Green Christmas” or Christmas without risks to prevent firecracker injuries during Christmas eve celebrations.

“Continuous rains also did it,” Salceda told The STAR in a text message.

Dr. Rose Rempillo, head of the Health Emergency Management Service (HEMS) of the Department of Health, told The STAR that there were no reported firecracker injuries in Albay, Camarines Norte, Naga City, Catanduanes, and Masbate.

Rempillo said only two cases of firecracker injuries were reported from Camarines Sur and Sorsogon while celebrating Christmas eve.

“There was a marked drop in the number of firecracker injuries in Bicol from 30 last year,” Rempillo said.

But Teresita Llorca, 50, one of the 26 firecracker vendors lining along T. Perez street in front of Daraga municipal hall fears the very low firecracker selling.

Llorca said she was able to sell only P120 worth of sparklers, Picolo and Five-Star firecrackers on Christmas eve.

“I prayed for the rain to stop,” Llorca said who fears she has already a P20,000 outstanding debt to the firecracker supplier since she can no longer return them after New Year.

Just like other firecracker vendors, she is hoping the weather would be fine in the coming days up to New Year’s eve so people will buy firecrackers.