TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas disclosed that firework-related injuries are rising in the region four days before the New Year's Eve.

The DoH-8 said four cases of firework-related injuries have been logged from 21 to 27 December which is three times higher than the single case recorded in the region over the same period of last year.

Of the four cases, three injuries were incurred before Christmas while three happened in 26 to 27 December — two of them involving minors, an eight-year-old and an 11-year-old who sustained injuries from banned firecrackers.

The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of DoH-8 recorded a total of six cases of FWRI last year during the entire holiday season.

DoH-8 advised the public not to ignore any injury from fireworks and bring the injured patient to the nearest health facility for treatment. The agency is making rounds in different hospitals to ensure that they have enough manpower and supplies for treatment as well as provision of a special lane for FWRI.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office also directed its personnel at the municipal level to conduct inspections to ensure that no illegal fireworks are being sold in the market.

PRO-8 regional director PBGen. Reynaldo Pawid led the inspection of firecracker stalls in Tacloban City last 26 December.

"The inspection is a part of the security measures aimed to ensure that dealers and retailers of these firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices don't sell any prohibited and illegal items and comply with fire safety rules," said Pawid.

In other developments, the local government of Baguio City said that it remains firm on its imposition of its ordinance prohibits the sale and explosion of firecrackers and fireworks within the city limits.

The move is to ensure the prevention of injuries caused by legally and illegally bought pyrotechnics in the city.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city government is maintaining its long-running stance based on Ordinance 144, series of 1951 amended by Ordinance 53, series of 2009.

With Aldwin Quitasol