DOH records first case of ingestion of ‘watusi’ firecracker

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DOH records first case of ingestion of ‘watusi’ firecracker;  logs 88 fireworks-related injuries

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00:00 It is hardwired in the DNA of Filipinos, its need to bid farewell to the old and welcome

00:05 the new year with boom, bang and bright flashes of light.

00:09 And though it has been outlawed since the pandemic by a presidential decree against

00:13 it, it has come back with a vengeance and sails our way up.

00:18 Notwithstanding the four dozen injuries and the accidental death of a four-year-old tot

00:23 as Orion Lasigas reports.

00:27 A few days before the new year, the health department recorded the first case of ingestion

00:32 of the firecracker Watusi.

00:34 The victim is a four-year-old boy from Calabarzon who accidentally swallowed the said firecracker

00:39 inside their home, the OH says.

00:41 Thirteen more firework-related injuries were recorded as of today, bringing the total to

00:46 88.

00:47 Three out of every ten cases or 31 incidents coming from the National Capital Region, or

00:53 NCR.

00:54 Of the 13 newly logged cases of FWRI, the DOH said that the victims are in the age range

01:00 of five to 49 years old.

01:02 Meanwhile, amid the expected increase in the prices of fireworks, buyers continue to flock

01:07 to Bukawi, Bulacan.

01:08 G, together with her family, bought dozens of fireworks.

01:12 According to her, their new year celebration won't be complete without fireworks.

01:16 "I don't want to have a new year celebration with fireworks.

01:24 Safety is number one for us because there are kids.

01:28 I treat my kids as kids.

01:30 It's painful for the parents that there are kids who are sick and we're welcoming the

01:36 new year with fireworks."

01:39 But for their safety, G made sure not to buy illegal firecrackers.

01:43 "We assure and we ask them how to operate so we know on our side that we're a responsible

01:49 buyer.

01:50 It's difficult especially if you're a parent, it's painful for you.

01:54 It's painful.

01:55 And the new year celebration is bad when you're in the hospital."

01:58 Some vendors expressed disappointment to vendors who sell illegal firecrackers.

02:02 "There are many people who are in danger from illegal fireworks.

02:05 What happens is, we have the blame.

02:07 You will know that when there is a PS mark on the item.

02:11 It's here.

02:12 If there is a PS mark, it's certified that it's registered."

02:15 Interior and local government Secretary Benjuer Abalos called on local government units to

02:20 strictly enforce their respective ordinances that ban the use of harmful firecrackers.

02:26 This is to ensure the safety of their communities and lessen if not totally eliminate pyrotechnics

02:32 related injuries prior to and during the New Year's Eve celebrations.

02:37 Based on DILG data, there were at least 1,210 LGUs that already have ordinances banning

02:44 the use of harmful firecrackers in their respective localities.

02:48 According to the Philippine National Police, the list of prohibited firecrackers include

02:53 among others, Five Star, Plapla, Piccolo, Goodbye Philippines, Goodbye Bading, and many

03:00 more.

03:01 Ryan Lizigas, for the nation.

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