MANILA, Philippines 鈥� A lawmaker urged the public on Saturday to follow the regulations of their local government units regarding the use of firecrackers in the upcoming New Year.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco issued the reminder following a report from the Department of Health indicating that over 40 individuals nationwide had already sustained firecracker-related injuries from December 22 to 25.
鈥淣akakalungkot dahil karamihan ng mga naaaksidente sa paputok ay mga bata. Ayon sa report ng DOH, 20 sa mga naaksidente ay mga kabataang may edad na 19 pababa,鈥� Tiangco said.
(It鈥檚 sad because most of those injured by fireworks are children. According to a report by the DOH, 20 of the accident victims are young individuals aged 19 and below.)
鈥淣anawagan po tayo sa lahat na sumunod sa pamantayan ng ating mga LGUs at maging responsable sa paggamit ng paputok,鈥� he added.
(We call on everyone to follow the standards of our LGUs and be responsible when using fireworks.)
The congressman likewise called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ramp up its efforts against the sale of illegal firecrackers, particularly those being sold online.
鈥淢adiskarte na rin ang mga nagbebenta ng ilegal na paputok. Ang ilan, nagbebenta na rin online kaya dapat itong bantayan nang maigi ng ating kapulisan,鈥� Tiangco said.
(Those selling illegal fireworks have also become more resourceful. Some are now selling online, so this must be closely monitored by our police forces.)
READ: Gov鈥檛: 101 fireworks injuries in five days听
He then listed several illegal firecrackers previously identified by the Philippine National Police, including Piccolo, Super Lolo, Atomic Triangle, Large Judas Belt, Large Bawang, Pillbox, Bosa, Goodbye Philippines, Bin Laden, Mother Rocket, Lolo Thunder, Five Star, Pla-Pla, and Watusi, among others.
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