DOH: Firecracker injuries now at 173, may hit 1K by January 1

With 173 people having been hurt in "firecracker-related" incidents since last week, the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday warned the figures could reach 1,000 during New Year's Day revelry.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the DOH has so far recorded 173 firecracker-related injuries since the agency started with its "Oplan Iwas Paputok" campaign on December 21.

He said 83 people or almost half of the victims (48 percent) were injured by “piccolo" firecracker. Fifteen people were hurt by a "kwitis," 15 by a "whistle bomb," 15 by "boga," and seven by a "trianggulo."

Of the victims, six were hit by stray bullets while five ingested "watusi."

Ona said this year's figures are lower than the ones in the same period last year. However, the Health secretary stressed that injuries were still highest among children (43 percent), particularly 15 years old or younger.

In Quezon City, 12 firecracker-related injuries were recorded. The city had set up 142 "firecracker zones" or designated areas where firecrackers could be exploded.

"I think it's very important for the families during this period [to be safe]. Kasi instead na masaya ay papasukan lang ng isang aksidente na makakaapekto hindi lang sa kanilang anak o kaibigan kundi sa kanilang buong pamilya," Ona said.

While the DOH is encouraging people to welcome the New Year not with firecrackers but with other noise-making devices, Ona still warned revelers to take extra precaution when using horns.

In the same press conference, Ona revealed that at least two children were hospitalized in Manila after accidentally swallowing the horn's whistle. He did not elaborate on the current condition of the kids.

By the rate of the recorded fireworks casualties from December 21 to December 27, Ona predicted that the figures could reach 900 to 1,000 by New Year’s Day.

In 2009, the DOH recorded 870 firecracker-related injuries, 35 stray bullet-injuries, and two watusi ingestions.

Meanwhile, Don't use firecrackers during the holidays if you don't want to spend New Year festivities in the hospital.

Meanwhile, Malacañang seconded the DOH warning by emphasizing that firecracker use during the New Year festivities may land people in the hospital.

"Sa ating mga kababayan, huwag na po tayo magpapaputok kasi mahirap naman po na bagong taon sa ospital tayo papasok," said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview with Palace reporters on Tuesday.

(To our countrymen, please stop using firecrackers because it's difficult to spend the new year in the hospital.)

Valte urged parents to closely watch their children during the festivities to keep them away from harmful firecrackers.

This year, the government has been encouraging revelers to do away with firecrackers being exploded on the ground. Instead, the Philippine National Police said "aerial fireworks" would be safer and better. [See related article: Cops pushing for alternative to firecrackers...]

The firecrackers the PNP banned in 2007 and still prohibited are: Lolo Thunder; Super Lolo; Bawang (large); Pla-pla; Watusi; Kwiton; Giant Whistle; Judas Belt (large); Og; and Atomic Bomb. — With Jam L. Sisante/LBG/JV, GMANews.TV

Ultimatum ni Gen. Nick Bartolome vs sakla

ni Lucy at video karera ni Rey Recto



TUMPAK ‘yang HAKBANG mo na ‘yan, NCRPO chief, Gen. Nick Bartolome!

Ang una sigurong dapat ninyong puruhan ay ang KAMANAVA dahil nand’yan ang pugad ng mga SAKLAAN ni LUCY gayundin ang VIDEO KARERA ni REY RECTO at BUBOY GO!

DEKADA na ang ipinamamayagpag ng SAKLAAN ni LUCY gayundin ang mga demonyong VK ni Rey Recto na may reinforcement pa ng makina mula kay Buboy Go.

Sana ay hindi maging ningas-kugon ‘yang order ninyo Gen. Bartolome…

Tsk tsk tsk …

[Source]

NCRPO chief inspects LRT, MRT

By Non Alquitran and Mike Frialde
(The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - To prevent the spillover of the Sulu violence in Metro Manila, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Nicanor Bartolome inspected yesterday the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) platforms and stations to ensure the safety of the riding public.

The inspection was conducted two days before the 10th anniversary of the infamous Rizal Day bombing which left 22 people dead and scores of others injured.

Most of the casualties in the bombing blamed on Muslim rebels were commuters inside the LRT coach that stopped at the Blumentritt station. “I’m very satisfied with the security measures that the LRT and MRT authorities are implementing,” Bartolome said.

“Even with the big volume of commuters availing of our railway transit systems, our police patrollers and the security personnel are making sure that a repeat of the Dec. 30, 2000 attack will not happen… Never again,” Bartolome assured the commuters.

LRTA officials led by operations managers Ma. Teresa Llera and Wilfredo Bungcarol; chief security officer Jimmy Chua; joined Bartolome and his district directors in his security inspection.

In its first stop, the inspecting team meticulously scrutinized the security procedures being implemented by LRT personnel in Gateway, Cubao terminal of LRT Line 2. They then observed the security inspection in Farmers/Cubao MRT station before boarding the MRT coach heading south to Taft/Pasay Rotonda station. Police and LRTA officials assured the riding public of continued police services to endure their security during the holiday season.

Bartolome then inspected the LRT Line 1 stations along Taft Avenue, stopping at Central Terminal (Arroceros) and visited the exact location of the infamous Rizal Day bombing of 2000 in the LRT 1 Blumentritt station before proceeding to Grand Central station in Monumento, Caloocan City.

The last leg of the inspection was the new MRT line from Caloocan to Muñoz station in Quezon City.