The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported 28 firecracker-related injuries nationwide as of Christmas Day, noting a significant concentration of incidents among the youth.
In an advisory issued at 4:00 a.m. on December 25, the DOH confirmed eight new cases since its last report. Despite the climb in incidents, the current tally reflects a 50 percent decrease from the 56 cases recorded during the same period in 2024.
According to data collected from 62 sentinel hospitals, 68 percent of the victims—or 19 individuals—are aged 19 and below. The remaining nine cases involved adults aged 20 and older.
Health officials identified the primary causes of these injuries as illegal firecrackers, specifically “boga” (improvised PVC cannons), “5-star,” and “triangulo.” These devices are currently prohibited under Philippine National Police (PNP) regulations due to their high risk of causing severe trauma or burns.
The DOH urged the public to prioritize safety and avoid prohibited explosives as the New Year celebrations approach.
“Immediately bring the victim to the hospital if there is an accident caused by firecrackers,” the agency said in a statement. “Call the National Emergency Hotline 911 right away for emergency medical assistance.”
The health department will continue its heightened monitoring of firework-related injuries through January 5, 2026.