DOH: 12 firecracker incidents in CagVal

By Oliver T. Baccay

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan - - The Dept. of Health recorded 12 firecracker-related incidents as Cagayan Valley welcomed 2021, an 81 percent decrease as compared to 63 cases recorded the previous year. 
    Regional director Rio L. Magpantay said most cases were recorded in Isabela with four cases, followed by Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya  and Santiago City with two cases each and one each for Quirino and Ilagan City.
    Magpantay lauded advocacy efforts of officials against use of firecrackers which resulted to "zero" incidents in Batanes and cities of Tuguegarao and Cauayan.
    "Eleven or 92 percent of the victims are males while the age group affected is from six year-old to 63 year-old. The good news is that there were no fireworks ingestions and stray bullet injuries recorded for this year," Magpantay said.
    Of the cases, the regional director said 11 reported victims suffered from blast without amputation while one suffered finger amputation.
    The director said most victims were on the street when they were injured by firecrackers followed by those at homes and some in church. 
    On type of firecracker that induced injury to the victims, Magpantay said kwitis is on the top, followed by whistlebomb while most of the victims suffered injuries on their hand and eye. –PIA Cagayan