ONA VISITS BOCAUE FIRECRACKER OUTLETS

 

 

Health Secretary Enrique Ona today visited firecracker/fireworks outlets in Bocaue, Bulacan as part of the Department of Health’s (DOH) firework-injury reduction campaign dubbed “Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction” or APIR (Give me five).

Accompanied by Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado and Bocaue Municipal Mayor Eduardo Villanueva, Sec. Ona made the rounds of firecracker/fireworks outlets in Bocaue, often times called the “firecrackers capital” of the country.

 

APIR focuses on the complete set of fingers representing five reminders to prevent injury and five suggestions to keep safe while celebrating the holidays.

The health chief reiterated that the five reminders to prevent harm and injury are: 1) mapanganib ang paggamit ng paputok (fireworks cause injuries and endanger health); 2) lahat ng paputok ay bawal sa bata (children should not use any fireworks); 3) umiwas sa mga taong nagpapaputok (keep safe and away from exploding fireworks); 4) Huwag mamulot ng mga di sumabog na paputok (never pick used fireworks); and, 5) Magpagamot kaagad kapag naputukan (seek immediate medical treatment for all firework injuries).

The Bocaue visit was made as Sec. Ona enjoined all citizens to participate in the creation of Community Fireworks Displays to have designated areas for the safe and responsible use of fireworks in each community. These areas should be situated at ideal locations with adequate buffer zones to avoid injury to individuals, fire hazards and other accidents. Communities will hopefully be able to then pool their resources to provide such displays with even better fireworks than they would be able to purchase individually.

 

“We are one with all Filipinos in the wish to celebrate the holidays with brilliant festivities and the Community Fireworks Displays will help strike a balance between merriment and safety,”Ona concluded.