Private hospitals in the country are now on "high alert" due to the expected increase in firework-related injuries ahead of the New Year's celebration.

Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano told Daily Tribune that all of their members are prepared for the expected increase of firecracker injuries due to the eased restrictions.

"We are prepared for the possible increase in the number of firework-related injuries considering the more relaxed restrictions," De Grano said.

"The hospitals are prepared. They are alerted and even if that happens, we are ready for those eventualities," he added.

Based on the latest Injury Registry Update of Sentinel Hospitals, the Department of Health reported a total of 15 additional cases of fireworks-related injuries in the last 24 hours.

The DoH said the additional reported cases brought the number of cases to 20, the same figure recorded in the same period last year.

Thirty percent of the fireworks-related injuries were caused by boga, followed by kwitis, whistle bomb and 5-star.

Of the cases, three each came from Central Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN, while two cases were recorded in the Ilocos Region, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Davao Region and the National Capital Region apiece.

The remaining cases were logged in the Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Cordillera Administrative Region.

The DoH said 19 of the 20 cases involve males with 14 occurring at home.

The majority of the reported cases sustained eye injuries while two cases had blast burn injuries requiring amputation.

More policemen deployed

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it will deploy more personnel in terminals and markets ahead of the New Year festivities.

"We will increase the number of PNP personnel deployed, along with our explosive and narcotics detection dogs that will help us monitor the situation," PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said.

So far, Fajardo said at least 17 people have been arrested, most of them for selling illegal firecrackers online.

Likewise, the PNP will also enforce local regulations on the use of videoke, according to the official.

Several local government units have passed ordinances to regulate the use of videoke.