32 Capiceņos enjoy Yuletide "in pain"

2008/01/07

32 Capiceņos enjoy Yuletide "in pain"

by Jemin B. Guillermo

Roxas City (7 January) -- In celebration of the holiday festivities, some 30 persons were injured by firecrackers and 2 persons were injured by stray bullet.

According to Dr. Elmer Bucayan, Department of Health (DOH) representative in Capiz, the said data were recorded during the period of the Yuletide Season from the various government and public hospitals in the province.

Last year, there were only 26 cases due to firecrackers incidents that were recorded here, Bucayan said.

The DOH had reported that from December 21 last year to January 1, 2007, more than 600 people were injured by firecrackers while 24 others were hit by stray bullets. Many of the victims were children, whose fingers were either maimed or amputated.

Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panadero earlier urged the governors and mayors to enact ordinances banning the manufacture, sale and distribution, and use of the "boga" in their respective localities, if they still have not undertaken this course of action to help keep the public safe during the holiday celebrations.

The "boga" is a popular bazooka-looking device that uses denatured alcohol to produce a booming sound.

Panadero also encouraged local officials to promote alternative forms of revelry to help ensure zero casualties during the New Year.

Meanwhile, Director General Avelino Razon, Jr. of the Philippine National Police has also made sure in confiscating prohibited firecrackers and illegally manufactured pyrotechnic devices.

He also tasked his regional commanders to lead the intensified campaign against loose firearms and the illegal or indiscriminate firing of guns during the New Year's Eve revelry.

So far, the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) has no indiscriminate firing incidents during the holiday celebrations, PNP Provincial Director Roberto Villanueva of Capiz said. (PIA)

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