Koronadal City, South Cotabato | December 15, 2025 —The Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO) has renewed its call for safe and firecracker-free Christmas and New Year celebrations following a rise in fireworks-related injuries in South Cotabato, according to Eldon Serame, Health Education and Promotions Officer of OPHO.
“A complete celebration,” Serame emphasized, “means keeping families and children safe. We encourage everyone to celebrate the holidays with safer and alternative activities rather than using firecrackers, which put lives at risk.”
Based on data from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, the Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance Monitoring recorded 50 cases from December 21 to January 6 at 6:00 a.m., marking a 28 percent increase compared to the 39 cases reported during the previous year’s monitoring period.
The age of victims ranged from as young as two years old to as old as 70, with the majority involving children and adolescents. Of the total cases, 19 involved individuals aged 10 to 19 years old, while 13 cases were children aged 0 to 9, highlighting that minors remain the most vulnerable to fireworks-related injuries.
Serame also noted that around 80 percent of the victims were boys, with 68 percent classified as “active” users of fireworks, meaning they personally handled firecrackers, while 32 percent were “passive” victims injured while nearby.
Most injuries were linked to illegal fireworks such as “triangle” and “five star” firecrackers, reinforcing the need for stronger community awareness and parental supervision.
OPHO continues to push for safer alternatives to fireworks to ensure a joyful yet injury-free holiday season for all families in the province.
“The general goal of the Iwas Pautok campaign is to decrease the fireworks-related injuries and to promote safe, responsible and complete celebration of Christmas and New Year season,” he added, emphasizing the complete fingers, feet, and no eye injuries.
