MindanaoToday.com | DOH-10 reexamines ‘Iwas Paputok’ drive
By: URIEL QUILINGUING
Medical doctors from the Department of Health Region 10 (DOH-10) directly involved in the “Operation Iwas Paputok” and surveillance on fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) during the Christmas and New Year revelries disclosed on Friday, January 5, they will look into their agency’s information, education and communication strategies.
“We will look into how we can modify (communication and promotion strategies) to make them more impactful,” said Dr. Tristan Jediah Labitad, cluster head of DOH-10’s non-communicable diseases. He also the cluster head on health education, promotion and communication.
Labitad’s reassuring statement came after Dr. Stephanie Grace Zamora, head of the DOH-10’s Research, Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit (RESDRU), reported that there were 35 persons who sustained injuries, all from fireworks except one who was hit by a stray bullet.
They agreed that they must coordinate their ‘Oplan Iwas Paputok” campaign with other agencies and local governments, especially those who have crafted ordinances relative to firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices pursuant to Executive Order No. 28, series of 2017. This includes the designation of Community Fireworks Display areas.
Section 7 of E.O. 28 clearly states that the education campaign on responsible use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices must involve the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
RESDRU records would show that the 34 confirmed FWRI in Northern Mindanao this year was highest in eight years. In 2015, there were 64 reported FWRI and this figure went down to 28 the following year. There were only 10 FWRI cases last year.
Of the 34 FWRI, 12 were in Bukidnon, seven in Cagayan de Oro, five in Misamis Occidental, four each in Iligan and Misamis Oriental, and two in Lanao del Norte. There was no reported fireworks-related injury in Camiguin.
The RESDRU report also listed Triangle, pyrotechnic device, Kwitis, Piccolo, and Whistle Bombs as the ones lighted that caused explosions that caused burns and cuts on skin mostly of them on hands, arms, legs, including heads. There were reports of eye injuries, but these did not affect their sight.
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