- GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental has logged 63 firecracker-related injuries during the Christmas and New Year revelries, according to local health and police authorities.
As of Jan. 2, 58 cases were reported in 18 local government units of Negros Occidental and five in the highly-urbanized Bacolod City.
Majority of the victims were between 11 and 20 years old.
One of the five injuries recorded in Bacolod City was a severe case, a report of the City Health Office said.
In the province, Kabankalan City topped the list, having the most number of victims at 12, from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II reported that 11 persons were involved in vehicular incidents, with one fatality, from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 in Negros Occidental.
The management of Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City also noted an increase in admission of patients suffering from chest pain, myocardial infarction or heart attack, and stroke.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office said it has not recorded any incident of indiscriminate firing. | GB
