CEBU, Philippines — At least 13 people were hurt by fireworks while one other was hurt by a stray bullet from December 24 and 26 in Central Visayas, according to the Department of Health (DOH)-7.
Dr. Shelbay Blanco, chief of the Health Emergency Management of DOH-7, said the victim of stray bullet came from Cebu City. Those hurt by firecrackers came from Carmen in Bohol (1), Cebu City (5), Lapu-Lapu City (2), Mandaue City (2), Minglanilla (1), Naga City (1), Talisay City (1), and Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental (1).
Blanco said it is unfortunate that most of those who were hurt did not light the firecrackers themselves.
"Tanan mga nabuthan dili maoy nagpabuto kung dili naigo lang sa gilabay nga pabuto nga kasagaran gigamit mao ang Bamboo Cannon, Bingala, Candy Bomb, Kwitis, Sky Rocket, Whistle Bomb, Whistle Joke ug Sparkle," she said.
All hospitals in Central Visayas were on Code White since December 21, the highest alert level for emergency response for the holidays.
"Nag-andam na me nga aduna gayuy daghan nga mabiktima sa pabuto panahon sa pagsugat sa bag-ong tuig, hinungdan giawhag namo tanan katawhan nga magmatngon kanunay ug kung mahimo mogamit nalang og mga torotot," Blanco said.
In Lapu-Lapu City, a couple sought the help of police after they found a stray bullet near where their two-year-old baby was sleeping in Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City.
The mother, Grace Carreon, said they were shocked when they realized their daughter was almost hit by the bullet.
They surrendered the bullet to Police Station 5 in Lapu-Lapu City.
SPO3 Roberto Pepito of the Pusok Police Station said the bullet, which may have come from a .45 caliber pistol, will be submitted to the crime laboratory in Cebu City for ballistic examination.
Lower sales
In Cebu City, however, firecracker vendors at the South Road Properties (SRP) said they had fewer customers this year.
“Hinay gyud ron naobserbaran, pag-24 hangtod karon, gamay ra ang nisulod diri nga customer,” said Rex Gilapit, 38, a vendor from Cordova town who has been selling firecrackers for 12 years.
“If i-publicize daghan na guro… mingaw ang sulod sa sakyanan, naa naman sad gyu’y entrance diha gud,” he said.
Gilapit said that in previous years, their total sales could pay for the loan they incurred to use as capital for the business.
He, himself, borrowed P150,000 to use as capital. He can only hope to be able recover before the year ends.
Another vendor, Fredo Ferrer, 62, from Cebu City shares Gilapit’s sentiment.
“Minos gyud ang halin rong tuiga, sa tinood lang. Sauna bintaha gyud to kay nakapamayad mi sa among utang, naay nahabilin gamay, karon wala gyu’y nahabilin, naunsa na ni,” he said.
Just like, Gilapit, Ferrer borrowed money for capital and hopes to recover before the New Year. He borrowed P300,000.
In a separate interview, SRP management head Nagiel Bañacia attributes the lower sales to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte discouraging the public to avoid firecrackers to prevent untoward incidents.
“Government is discouraging everyone nga magpabuto og firecrackers sa panahon sa Pasko ug Bag-ong Tuig. President Duterte wants us to have a happy and safety celebration. So, it is expected the sales of firecrackers will go down drastically,” he said.
It was on June 20 this year that Duterte signed Executive Order 28 regulating the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
"It is allowed by the municipality/city concerned through a permit specifying the date and time of the fireworks display and the specific area in which the display will be conducted, in conformity with national standards, rules and regulations," the order reads.
In Cebu City, vendors can sell firecrackers only at SRP. Selling there, started on December 8, is managed by the Professional Advertising and Production Specialist Inc., the provider of the amusement rides at Big Boom sa Sugbu.
Security
Overall, the Christmas celebration in Central Visayas was generally peaceful, the police said.
“So far, so good. We did not receive any reports of major injury due to the firing of guns, and other related major incidents so we had a peaceful Christmas,” said Senior Supt. Angelito Dumangeng, chief of the directorial staff.
Dumangeng said cops deployed during Christmas will continue to secure the region for New Year.
“We will just continue with our information dissemination so that yung tulong ng LGU, especially with the firecracker zone, so we can prevent injuries due to firecracker. May designation na ang LGU natin sa firecracker zone,” Dumangeng said.
Senior Supt. Jonathan Cabal, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division, said that despite the suspension of military operations and the declarations of unilateral ceasefire against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA), the police continue with target hardening measures.
“We are able to disseminate info clearly to lower units to conduct target hardening despite the existing ceasefire… We will be exercising yung walang military or police operations,” Cabal said. (FREEMAN)