Only three persons were injured by exploding firecrackers and fireworks in the celebration of Christmas and New Year in the capital town of Virac, local health officials said.
According to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Wilfredo Santelices, records of the Eastern Bicol Medical Center showed that none of the three victims brought to the emergency room and the outpatient department needed amputation.
A 36-year old man from Moonwalk road had a blast injury from a rocket-propelled fireworks an hour and 30 minutes into the New Year while another man from San Pedro hurt his middle finger last Dec. 31. The lone female victim, a 13-year old youth from Sto. Cristo, burned her right hand.
A health official, however, told the Tribune that the count was limited only to the EBMC as designated sentinel hospital by the Department of Health. The actual number of those injured could be higher if those brought to the six district hospitals would be included.
The Catanduanes tally brings to 29 the total number of persons in Bicol who were injured by firecrackers including two who were amputated while celebrating the New Year, health authorities said.
Earlier, Dr. Nestor Santiago, Department of Health (DOH) Bicol regional director, said that eight persons were reported treated for injuries at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) in Albay; seven persons at the Naga City hospital; five at the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City; four in Masbate Provincial hospital; three at EBMC Catanduanes; and, one each at the Camarines Norte District Hospital and at the Eastern Bicol Medical Center in Catanduanes.
Santiago said the number of persons who were reported injured in the region decreased from 33 to 27 from December 21 to January this year.
"There was an 18 percent drop in the number of injuries," said Santiago due to an effective information campaign against exploding firecrackers in celebrating Christmas and New Year, and the support of local executives who designated specific areas where to explode firecrackers, and due to heavy rains that marred New Year revelry.
Santiago added that fifty percent of the injuries were on children caused by the Piccolo firecracker.
Engr. William Sabater, DOH regional sanitary engineer, added that the onset of heavy rains at early as 9:00 p.m. in Bicol's five provinces dampened the people's habit of exploding firecrackers.
Sabater also said that the two persons who were amputated due to firecracker injuries were from Camarines Sur. Pla-pla and whistle bomb were the cause of the amputation. (with a report from PIA/CT Amo)