Iloilo city: The City Health Office (CHO) here is urging the public to practice safer alternatives to fireworks, like joining organized or community fireworks displays, to avoid firecracker-related injuries this holiday season. Jean Dimasuay, Nurse I at the CHO, said that under the 'Iwas Paputok' campaign, they continue to advocate for safer alternatives like 'torotot' (horn), drums, playing loud music, car honking, and other sound or light-emitting devices instead of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices.

According to Philippines News Agency, Jean Dimasuay highlighted that they have fireworks-related injury surveillance, noting that last year, there were 16 cases of firework injuries. Of these, eight cases involved children aged 1 to 10 years old, while the remaining cases were adults aged 21-30 years old. During a press conference on Monday, Dimasuay emphasized the importance of the 'Iwas Paputok' campaign in promoting safer celebrations.

Assistant City Health Officer, Dr. Roland Fortuna, mentioned that this year, the monitoring will begin through the online national electronic surveillance system on Dec. 21. He further assured that all district health centers are prepared to accommodate firework-related injuries and have prepositioned prophylaxis for tetanus.

Meanwhile, the city government, through Executive Order No. 148, reminded the public of the designated areas where the display and selling of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices are permitted until Dec. 31. These areas include the Circumferential Road, corner Jocson Street; Circumferential Road 1, corner Iloilo East Coast-Capiz; and Muelle Loney Street, along the Riverside front of the Muelle Loney statue.