A sign that Filipinos are finally learning from the past? A result of intensified government campaigns against illegal firecrackers? Or a symptom – and a premonition – of tougher times ahead?
Whatever the reason, the fact is that firecracker-related injuries in the Calabarzon region have seen a sharp drop in the run-up to the celebrations for New Year’s Day this 2025.
However, a careful study of data released by various law-enforcement agencies show a grim fact: the campaign against illegal and indiscriminate use of firecrackers – lamentably, now an accepted staple of every New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Philippines – has to start with educating our youth about the dangers of firecrackers.
Preliminary data
Data released by the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-A Calabarzon this Thursday, January 2, showed that the Calabarzon region recorded a total of 160 firecracker-related injuries in the region from December 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025.
This represents a 40-percent drop from the 271 cases reported in the region from December 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024.
A check conducted by the OpinYon Laguna research team revealed, too, that as of the writing of this article (January 3), only San Pedro City has given out detailed information regarding the number of firecracker-related injuries in their area.
The San Pedro City Health Office’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) reported a total of 14 firecracker-related injuries from December 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025, a 55-percent drop compared to the 33 reported during the 2024 New Year’s Eve celebrations.
However, the Police Regional Office reported a total of nine cases of illegal discharge of firearms, although no injuries or deaths were reported from such incidents.
“Individuals who found discharging their firearms illegally face criminal charges under Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act. Charges were already filed against them. Additionally, administrative cases will be filed against members of law enforcement or military personnel involved,” P/BGen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, PRO Calabarzon regional director, said in the statement.
It should be noted, by the way, that parts of Laguna province experienced light to moderate rainfall during the period before and after the New Year’s Eve countdown, which may have helped dampen (literally) the use of firecrackers.
Confiscated firecrackers
In the same report, Calabarzon police reported that more than 43,000 assorted illegal firecrackers worth around P2 million were confiscated in various operations from December 18, 2024 to January 1, 2025.
Aside from illegal firecrackers and sparklers, police in Laguna province also reported the confiscation of "boga," or improvised cannons made from plastic pipes.
“Our heightened vigilance during this yuletide season, public information campaigns, and strict enforcement of firecracker regulations contributed to this remarkable achievement,” PRO regional director Lucas added.
Minors involved
However, the fact remains that it is the youth who are still the most vulnerable to the threat of firecracker-related injuries.
Out of the 534 firecracker-related injuries reported by the Department of Health (DOH) for 2025, 322 or 60 percent involved those aged 19 years old and below.
Reports from various police stations in Laguna province also showed that at least 10 cases of the firecracker-related injuries that were reported in Laguna province from the period December 28 to 31, 2024 involved minors.
On the other hand, seven out of the 14 cases reported by the Laguna police on January 1, 2025 itself involved minors.
The youngest one was a two-year-old male in Santa Rosa City, Laguna who suffered injuries after being hit by a Judas Belt that was fired by their neighbor while outside their residence.
Meanwhile, on December 29, at least 16 minors were given a "stern warning" by authorities in Cabuyao City, Bay and Liliw after they were caught using "boga."
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