• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The number of victims of firecracker-related injuries in Negros Island has further increased to 124 as of Jan. 5.
Negros Occidental remains at the top of the list in the Department of Health-Negros Island Region, with the most number of blast victims, totaling 86 cases, followed by highly urbanized Bacolod City with 20, Negros Oriental with 16, and two in Siquijor.
Of the cases, 82 were blast and burn injuries without amputation, 34 eye injuries, five cases were blast and burn injuries with amputation, and two cases of burns without amputation and eye injury, according to DOH-NIR.
On the other hand, an estimated P88,895 worth of illegal firecrackers and “boga” seized by the different units of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) were properly disposed of on Friday at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City.
PCol. Rainerio de Chavez, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, led the ceremonial disposal of 10,595 pieces of confiscated firecrackers, aside from the seized “boga,” marking the conclusion of 21 illegal firecracker operations carried out from Dec. 16 last year to Jan. 3 this year.
In a statement, NOCPPO said the disposal highlights a significant effort toward ensuring public safety and combating illegal firecracker activities in the province.
During the ceremony, the confiscated “boga” were flattened using a BFP fire truck to safely dispose of the hazardous devices.
De Chavez reaffirmed NOCPPO’s firm resolve to continue working against illegal firecracker operations and to protect citizens from the dangers posed by the hazardous materials.
The activity was also attended by Mark Andrew Siervo, a representative from the Department of Health, and F/Supt. Menandro Bastian, BFP provincial fire marshal, among others. | GB
