黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� A day before New Year鈥檚 Eve, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced the 鈥業was Paputok鈥� (avoid fireworks] campaign of Department of Health (DOH) can already be considered a success.

This assessment comes, amid the fact that the number of fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) recorded from December 21 to 30 this year and during the same time period last year are the same.

鈥淲e have to look at the bigger picture,鈥� Herbosa said in a press conference at East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon city.

鈥淚鈥檝e been practicing medicine for more than 40 years, so during my time as a young resident, we never had these [low] numbers,鈥� he recalled.

鈥淸There used to be] 500 cases in Philippine General Hospital alone. We reached up to 800. Our bucket used to be full of [amputated] fingers,鈥� he said.

鈥淭he 鈥業was Paputok鈥� campaign is a success. It鈥檚 a resounding success,鈥� he told reporters.

鈥淭here are very few injuries now. Dati, talagang bising-busy (really very busy)鈥� So, ang perspective ko dyan, it鈥檚 a big success,鈥� he repeated.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we keep doing it every year,鈥� he added.

Herbosa also mentioned more local government units have expressed support for the project.

鈥淓very year, padami nang padami ang local chief executives na gusto, community fireworks na lang. So, we鈥檙e getting there,鈥� he said.

(Every year, more and more local chief executives just want community fireworks.)

For her part, DOH Regional Director for Metro Manila Center for Health Development Aleli Sudiacal said while the number of FWRI this year is almost the same as last year, healthcare facilities are still on standby for possible surge in emergency cases at midnight of December 31.

She said 鈥業was Paputok鈥� campaign has been going on for years.

For 2023, the department is focusing on three main objectives namely 鈥� 鈥淚was Paputok, healthy handaan (party food) and healthy celebration.鈥�