Eastern Visayas: The number of firecracker-related injuries in the Eastern Visayas region has risen to 34, surpassing last year’s count, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the number significantly increased in the first five days of 2025 from just eight cases as of December 31, 2024, as more health facilities sent updated reports to the DOH regional office. The recorded cases are higher than the 31 noted last year. Victims hail from various towns and cities across the provinces of Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, and Southern Leyte.
The majority of those injured are males who suffered blast or burn injuries from igniting “kwitis” (skyrocket). Two adult males from Tanauan, Leyte, each suffered a finger amputation after igniting a “five star” firecracker, according to Jelyn Lopez-Malibago, DOH Eastern Visayas regional information officer. Other victims sustained eye injuries and other injuries without amputation.
Other causes of injuries recorded between December 23, 2024, to January 4, 2025, include “lantaka” (portable cannon), whistle bomb, fountain, five star, sparklers, and “pla-pla”, a banned firecracker. Malibago noted that the increase in cases during New Year is expected as more people use firecrackers during these celebrations.
Health facilities in Eastern Visayas have also recorded 18 deaths due to accidents and other health emergencies related to Christmas celebrations since December 21. Starting the third week of December, the DOH logged 725 cases of injuries, including 521 individuals involved in road accidents. Other injuries resulted from accidents after attending Christmas parties, such as animal bites, burns, falls, and injuries from bladed weapons, primarily affecting residents of Samar province.
Meanwhile, the department recorded 288 cases of non-communicable diseases, including acute stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and bronchial asthma. For the first time, the DOH includes monitoring illnesses arising from unhealthy diets and holiday-related injuries, such as road accidents and mauling after parties, in addition to firecracker-related injuries.
Health facilities are instructed to monitor acute stroke cases, which occur when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, and acute coronary syndrome, which involves decreased blood flow to the heart. These non-communicable diseases are related to excessive consumption of sweets, salt, and fats. The DOH will continue monitoring holiday-related emergencies until January 6.
