By Daine Mariel G. Chua

Amidst the downtrend in the tally of injuries, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged local government units (LGUs) to organize community fireworks displays instead to lessen firecracker-related injuries, reminding the public of the dangers of using explosives ahead of the New Year celebrations.

Photo Courtesy of Reuters/Office of the Press Secretary

In a video released by the Office of the Press Secretary on Thursday, December 22, Marcos suggested having a common area for a fireworks display instead of letting their constituents have their own firecrackers exhibit.

“I will enjoin the LGUs, instead of allowing our people to have their own firecrackers, gumawa na lang kayo ng magandang fireworks display para sa inyong mga constituent,” the president said.

A police-licensed and trained person will supervise the proposed community display as stated in Executive Order (EO) No. 28, which provides regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices signed in 2017. 

Marcos also warned the public on the risks of substandard firecrackers released in the market, as manufacturers of some explosive products remain undetermined.

“Huwag muna tayong magpaputok at alam naman natin kung minsan delikado ‘yan. Lalo ngayon at maglalabas sila ng mga paputok na hindi natin alam kung saan galing, kung maayos ang pagkakagawa,” he warned. 

Furthermore, the President has also urged everyone to remain vigilant despite the reported downward trend of firecracker-related injuries by the Department of Health (DOH), with 122 and 128 cases reported in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Among the recorded cases, the DOH specified that using illegal and banned firecrackers caused a total of 85 cases, or 61 percent of last year’s report.

The Health Department has already intensified its “Iwas Paputok” campaign, where they are set to make rounds to different hospitals to check their readiness for the upcoming new year celebration.


Edited by Audrei Jeremy A. Mendador