KORONADAL CITY — The Department of Health in Region 12 revealed on Tuesday that at least 63 persons were injured due to firecracker-related cases in the Soccsksargen region from 21 December 2023 to 2 January 2024.

DoH-12 Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit head Dr. Dyan Zubelle Parayao said the number of injuries was 133 percent higher compared to the cases logged from 21 December 2022 to 1 January 2023.

"It is also 125 percent higher than the past five years' average of 28 cases," Parayao said.

Topping the list of firecracker victims is South Cotabato with 31, followed by North Cotabato with 15, Sarangani with 9, and Sultan Kudarat and General Santos City with 4 each.

Parayao said the youngest victim was a five-year-old boy and the eldest was a 68-year-old man.

Of the 63 victims, two victims required amputation of fingers, while 49 patients have been treated and sent home, six were admitted, three were referred to another hospital and five refused hospital admission.