Aquino urges public to welcome 2015 using alternative noisemakers

President Benigno S. Aquino III  (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — Four days before the year 2015, President Benigno Aquino III has urged the public to use alternative noisemakers instead of exploding firecrackers and lighting fireworks to prevent injuries during the New Year’s revelry.

”Few days before the year 2015, we keep on appealing to our people to cooperate in avoiding the use of damaging firecrackers and welcome the year 2015 safe and away from any danger,” the President said in his New Year’s message read Sunday by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. over Radyo ng Bayan.

The President said Malacanang is supporting the Department of Health (DOH)’s anti-firecrackers campaign, asking the public to use alternative noisemakers such as loud music, blowing of horns and street parties in welcoming the New Year.

According to the initial report of the DOH National Epidemiology Center, the victims of firecrackers has reduced by 43 percent compared to last New Year’s celebration due to DOH’s intensified anti-firecrackers campaign.

”At present, the registered cases of firecracker-related injuries from all over the country has reached 113,” the President said.

The DOH continuously coordinating with other government agencies specifically Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police in their campaign to prevent from increasing further the number of victims of firecrackers.

At present, President Aquino said, the DOH has placed to Code White alert, the highest alert, all public hospitals nationwide to give immediate medical assistance all the victims of firecrackers.

The DOH has recently launched anti-firecrackers campaign dubbed “Mahalaga ang Buhay, Iwasan ang Paputok (Life is important, avoid firecrackers).”

DOH has recorded 1,018 fireworks-related injuries during the 2013 holiday season.