Tacloban Intensifies Monitoring to Achieve Zero Firework Injuries Before Year-End

• With days left before New Year, Tacloban City intensifies efforts to maintain its current record of zero fireworks-related injuries, which has held since monitoring began on December 21.

Jazmin Bonifacio 6 months ago 6.2 K

TACLOBAN CITY — With only days left before the year ends, the Tacloban City Government is intensifying its efforts to achieve a zero firework-related injury record, as health authorities continue strict monitoring ahead of New Year celebrations.

According to the City Health Office (CHO), there have been no firework-related injuries recorded since the monitoring period began on December 21st. City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Officer, Nurse Keana Mate, indicated that the preliminary results are a testament to the commitment of the city government to the safety of citizens during the holiday season.

With support from Mayor Alfred Romualdez, the city can track potential injury incidents using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), an online database that collects real-time injury data from all health centers and hospitals in Tacloban. This enables health officials to review the data collected, determine trends, and respond accordingly to the highest-risk areas.

“This office is collecting data through a special study to monitor firework-related injuries from December 21 until January 5,” stated Mate. The goal of the program is “to reduce or eliminate significant, preventable injuries, including permanent blindness, amputation, fires, and death” due to fireworks.

With the New Year celebration approaching, Mate reiterated the city government’s goal to achieve a zero firework injury record from the start of the monitoring period to the end of the program.

Photo caption: The city center of Tacloban is bustling with activity as shopping mall patrons, commuters, and families crowd the streets in anticipation of the new year.