By Xander Ledesma
Authorities in Negros Oriental confirmed no firecracker-related injuries or fire incidents during the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Lieutenant Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), reported Wednesday that police stations across the province did not receive any complaints or reports of injuries caused by firecrackers or pyrotechnics as residents welcomed the new year.
The Department of Health (DOH) in Negros Oriental, however, recorded four minor burn injuries in the days leading up to the celebration. These incidents occurred in La Libertad, Guihulngan, and Bais City, with the victims reportedly being passersby. The cases were treated at local Rural Health Units but were not reported to the police, Polinar noted.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) also confirmed that no fire incidents related to firecrackers or fireworks were reported. Fire Officer 2 Jason Pael of the BFP’s Communications and Electronics Division stated that the celebrations were free from any fire-related emergencies.
On Tuesday morning, police destroyed confiscated illegal firecrackers, including the banned “Poppop,” which were seized from vendors.
Aside from minor traffic incidents, authorities said the New Year’s festivities in the province were generally peaceful.