The Philippines has banned firecrackers to avoid injuries and deaths during the New Year revelry to welcome 2022, a government official said on December 29.

People wearing face masks pass by lanterns at Chinatown in the Philippines' Manila in February 2021. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano has ordered the local governments and the national police to crack the whip on manufacturers, sellers, and users of illegal firecrackers, according to Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.

Malaya said the police and the local officials will enforce the ban by confiscating and destroying the prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

The country’s Department of Health (DOH) said firework-related injuries increased to 25 on December 21-29 this year, compared with 12 cases in the same period last year. The DOH also said the victims were primarily minors, aged from nine to 16 years old.

The government urged people to use alternatives to firecrackers such as noise and light-producing devices like sound systems, bells, pans, or tambourines "to prevent debilitating and life-threatening injuries."

Last year, the Philippine government also banned the use of firecrackers and urged the public to participate in community fireworks displays instead. However, at least one died and 50 others injured as Filipinos celebrated Christmas and welcomed 2021, the health authorities said.

Source: VNA