List of firecracker injuries rose to 114 in R-12
COTABATO
CITY -- The Department of Health in Central Mindanao region today
said the total number of firecracker related injuries rose to 114 as the regional
office continues to receive reports from various hospitals.
Jenny
Ventura, DOH-12 spokesperson and focal person of ‘Iwas Paputok’ campaign, said
as of 7 a.m. the number of injured individuals due to firecrackers in the
provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani and the
cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and Gen. Santos rose to 114,
including three persons hit by stray bullets during the New Year’s revelry.
North
Cotabato remained to have the most number of firecracker related injuries with
34, followed by South Cotabato with 31, Gen. Santos City (17), Sultan Kudarat
(14) Cotabato City (11) and Saranggani (7).Ventura
said the date was based on reports submitted by 31 hospitals in Region 12, also
known as SOCCSKSARGEN region.
She
said 99 of the victims were male while 15 were female.
Ventura
said DOH monitoring on number of casualties, from December 21, will continue
until January 5.
andltpandgt This
is disturbing, we are sad many ignored our calls to avoid setting off
firecrackers in welcoming the New Year,” she said.
This
year’s figure was 50 percent higher as compared to last year’s casualty figure
of 60.