CEBU CITY: The Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) on Thursday reiterated its call for the barangays to establish a common area where the people can safely use firecrackers to avoid further increase in fireworks-related injuries.
The advisory was issued after the health agency recorded an increase in the number of persons injured by firecrackers from 14 on Wednesday to 19 on Thursday.
According to DOH-7, the recorded additional cases were three from Cebu City and one each from Negros Oriental and Bohol.
Cebu province still has the highest number of cases at 8, followed by Cebu City (5), Bohol (4), and one each for Negros Oriental and Mandaue City.
A DOH-7 official also asked local government units to help in the information campaign against the use of ‘boga’ – an improvised cannon made from PVC pipe whose use is prohibited.
Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal, head of DOH-7’s Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (RESU), said the health agency has repeatedly warned the public against the use of “bog
a” on New Year’s Eve because of the danger it poses in causing blast or burn injury.
She warned that the continuous use of the improvised cannon would lead to the increase in the number of injuries among children and adults alike.
Source: Philippines News Agency