Iloilo city: The public is enjoined to avoid using 'boga' (improvised cannon) in celebrating the Yuletide season to avoid serious injuries. In a 'Ligtas Christmas and New Year celebration' press conference on Monday, Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) Medical Officer III, Dr. Fritzi Dequito, highlighted an increase in fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) in the region following the pandemic.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Dequito emphasized that boga is a leading cause of FWRI cases. "I would like to emphasize that one of the highest reasons for FWRI is boga. Although the police are doing their best, but based on our database, boga is the number one case in our emergency room," she stated. The use of boga is known to cause injuries to the hands, fingers, and eyes.

While DOH WV CHD could not provide comprehensive statistics for FWRI related to boga, it was noted that four out of the 16 FWRIs in Iloilo City in 2024 were attributed to boga. Dr. Dequito acknowledged the importance of cultural traditions and suggested that local government units use boga-related events to educate the public about potential hazards.

Iloilo City Police Office Director Col. Kim Legada reiterated that the use of boga, regardless of the materials used, is prohibited under Republic Act No. 7183 or the Firecrackers Law and Executive Order No. 28, series of 2017. Mayor Raisa Trenas has also issued an executive order regarding the use of illegal firecrackers in Iloilo City. "What we can do is to intensify our patrols and confiscate those items. We also would like to appeal to our force multipliers, the barangay officials, to do the same, to enforce the executive order," Legada urged.

F/Insp. Erruel Araojo, chief of the Community Relations Section of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Western Visayas, stated that the BFP is collaborating with local government units to enforce directives concerning the allowable use of firecrackers.