Lower firecracker injuries credited to Duterte order

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health attributed the lower number of firecracker-related injuries in the New Year festivities to President Rodrigo Duterte's executive order limiting the use of firecrackers.

Executive Order (EO) 28, which limits the use of firecrackers to community zones, was implemented for the first time last weekend.

"We would like to thank first and foremost President Rodrigo Duterte for passing or signing Executive Order 28, which truly reinforced the efforts of the DOH and complimented by the efforts of other concerned agencies," Health Secretary Francisco Duque said in a press briefing on Monday.

Duque said that the agency is "relatively pleased" with the lower number of firecracker-related injuries this year.

The DOH recorded 191 firecracker injuries from Dec. 21, 2017 to Jan. 1, 2018, which is 68 percent lower than the reported 524 injuries recorded in the same period last year.

"Overall, the government’s campaign against fireworks has reduced the number of injuries. The DOH is certainly most grateful for the strong cooperation of our local government units and the of the government agencies for this success," Duque said.

There was only one reported case of an injury due to a stray bullet but there were no reported deaths or cases of firecracker ingestion.

On June 20, 2017, Duterte signed EO 28, which confines the use of pyrotechnics to community fireworks displays to lessen the risk of injuries.

"It is allowed by the municipality/city concerned through a permit specifying the date and time of the fireworks display and the specific area in which the display will be conducted, in conformity with national standards, rules and regulations," the order read.