Region 9 LGUs urged to impose total firecracker ban

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) has urged local government units in Region 9 to impose a total ban on the use of firecrackers.

“Instead of firecrackers, the public is encouraged to use safe merrymaking instruments and alternative noisemakers such as torotot or car horns or by playing loud music,” Joshua Brillantes, DOH 9 assistant regional director said yesterday.

Brillantes said Zamboanga City reported zero firecracker-related injuries since it imposed a total ban on its use for two years now.

In 2014, the DOH-Region 9 recorded 16 cases of firecracker injuries, which was 100 percent higher than in 2013.

Brillantes said Zamboanga del Sur and Isabela City in Basilan account for a majority of the cases with 40 percent each, followed by Zamboanga del Norte with 15 percent and Zamboanga Sibugay, five percent.