View source for DOH 6 starts awareness campaign vs fireworks

*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=944891
*Saturday, December 3, 2016
:(PNA), LAP/PGLENA/CBF

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas on Friday gathered stakeholders from this region to kick off its "Iwas Paputok Awareness Campaign" this holiday season.

Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, DOH 6 regional coordinator for the Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP), said that the awareness campaign is specifically directed to children aged 10 to 14 years old who are mostly the victims of firecracker related injuries.

It also aimed to educate parents, teachers and local chief executives (LCEs).

“The good news is that the number of cases has been decreasing from 2014 and 2015. The people are now aware about the hazards, the dangers and this year we are really advocating for the prohibition of the individual and residential use of these firecrackers,” she said.

Region 6 is second to the National Capital Region (NCR) in terms of injuries due to the presence of two firecracker factories in the region.

In 2015, DOH recorded 932 cases of firecracker-related injuries in the region, which is eight percent higher than the cases in 2014 but four percent lower than the five-year average.

Meanwhile, the town of Janiuay in Iloilo has been chosen as host for this year’s national simultaneous launching of the campaign dubbed as "Oplan: Iwas Paputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok! Makiisa sa Fireworks Display sa Inyong Lugar.”

It will be held December 12 simultaneous with the launching in other areas to include National Capital Region and Region 1 for Luzon, Region 7 for Visayas and Region 12 for Mindanao.

A 40-minute fireworks display will highlight the campaign that will set the tone for the proposed community-based fireworks display, said Sta. Lucia.

Meanwhile, today’s one-day gathering capped with the blowing of "torotot", which is also advocated by the DOH.