By Eva Visperas
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The province of Pangasinan recorded 101 fireworks-related injuries during the New Year celebrations of 2025, or a drop of 31 percent, according to the latest update from the Provincial Health Office’s (PHO) Iwas Paputok monitoring, as of January 2, 2025, 9:00 a.m.
The breakdown of the types of firecrackers involved in the injuries is as follows:
- Kwitis – 22 cases
- Boga – 19 cases
- Five Star – 14 cases
- Bawang – 7 cases
- Whistle Bomb, Baby Rocket, Crying Cow – 6 cases each
- Unknown Fireworks – 5 cases
- Plapla – 4 cases
- Fountain, Triangle – 2 cases each
- Dragon, Piccolo, Saturn Missile, Dark Bomb, One Star, Dynamite, Flash Bomb, Marshmallow – 1 case each
Out of the 101 individuals injured, 59 were considered active participants (they lit the firecrackers themselves), while 42 were passive (injured by firecrackers lit by others).
The injuries were primarily caused by blast burns, and the body areas most affected include:
- Hands – 35 cases
- Feet – 4 cases
- Knee/Leg – 10 cases
- Thigh – 4 cases
- Chest – 3 cases
- Abdomen – 1 case
- Arm/Forearm – 3 cases
- Face/Head/Neck – 13 cases
- Eyes – 25 cases
In terms of amputation, three individuals suffered severe injuries: a 15-year-old male (third and fourth left fingers), a 12-year-old male (middle left finger), and a 17-year-old male (left hand).
There was a 31 percent decrease in the number of fireworks-related injuries this year compared to the same period in 2024, from December 21 to January 2.
The most affected age group was 10 to 14 years old. The youngest injury victim was a one-year-old male, while the oldest was a 7-year-old female. Both were passively involved, meaning they did not light the firecrackers.
The most commonly used firecracker was boga, and most injuries occurred due to active involvement.
The data was gathered from a range of sources, including local hospitals, both government and private, the Region 1 Medical Center, Rural Health Units, City Health Offices, and the Conrado F. Estrella Regional and Trauma Medical Center.
Several towns reported no fireworks-related injuries this year, including Agno, Burgos, Dasol, Infanta, Laoac, San Manuel, Sison, Balungao, Rosales, San Nicolas, and San Quintin.
However, Sto. Tomas and Bolinao, which had executive orders banning firecrackers, both recorded one injury each during the 2025 New Year’s festivities.