CEBU, Philippines - Firecracker-related injuries in Central Visayas went down by 50 percent this year, the Police Regional Office-7 said.
Superintendent Arnel Banzon, deputy for regional operations and plans division, said this can be attributed to the intensive campaign against the use of firecrackers for the New Year revelries.
"Sixty-seven ang victims last year sa firecrackers unya lima sa stray bullet last year," he said.
This year, Banzon said, the police recorded 33 victims of firecrackers and three victims of stray bullets in the region from December 16, 2016 to January 2, 2017.
There were five victims of firecrackers in Cebu City, one in Mandaue City, five in Lapu-Lapu City, five in Bohol, and one in Cebu Province.
For the stray bullets, one was reported in Bogo City on December 23, one in Mandaue City on December 25, and one in Consolacion.
"All victims are in stable condition," he said.
Cebu City
The situation in Cebu City was generally peaceful during the New Year celebrations, said Nagiel Bañacia, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.
"So far, based sa record sa C3 (Central Command Center), malipayon tang magpahibaw sa tanan nga we had a peaceful and orderly New Year celebration," Bañacia said.
Councilor David Tumulak, chairperson of the City Council committee on public order and safety, also reported that only 10 residents sustained injuries from firecrackers in Zapatera, Bulacao, Kinasang-an, Basak Pardo and Ermita.
"Atong siyudad sa sugbo, generally peaceful then ato nang ipahinungod sa mga katawhan sa Sugbo nga mabinantayon kaayo, walay naigo sa saag na bala, unya duna man gani inon-inom, dili na grabe kumpara sa niagi'ng mga katuigan kay kanang pag-inom-inom, ang resulta kasamok," Tumulak said.
Tumulak said this would show that the public chose safety in welcoming the New Year.
"Nagpasalamat pud ta sa atoang mga kapolisan, kabarangayan, mga doktor, mga nurses, apil na ang mga barangay tanod… na-maintain gyud ang pagsaulog nato og Bag-ong Tuig, malinawon ug hapsay ang siyudad," he said.
He hopes that cooperation among authorities and the public will continue especially during the upcoming Sinulog festivities.
"Atoa ning ipadayon. Aduna tay umaabot nga tahas karong umaabot nga Sinulog. Kinagkinahanglan ta’g tabang sa publiko nga moabag sa kapolisan kun ugaling naa silay mamatikdan nga dili maayo, palihog lang kooperar dayon," he said.
Cebu South
Incidents involving firecrackers outside Cebu City were also minimal.
In Carcar City, nine-year-old Aljhune Oliveros was injured in his right eye after he picked a whistle bomb that did not explode. As it turned out, it exploded in his hand.
Three-year-old Jay Gomera was injured also in his right eye when the binggala he was holding sparked in his hand. Irish Sidlakan, six years old, was injured in her right hand by an unidentified firecracker.
In Minglanilla town, Jerwin Geonzon, 27, sustained injuries to his right arm with burning materials from the 'fountain' they lighted.
In Naga City, 22-year-old John Abner Alferez, sustained burns to his right leg after a firecracker exploded in the road while he was walking. —/JMO (FREEMAN)