THE Department of Health said that the improvised cannons or ‘boga’ remains as the top reason for firecracker-related injuries amid the New Year 2025 revelry.
According to data from the DOH, Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo noted that based on the ground assessment, there were new versions of boga—a longtime prohibited firecracker in the country—which is considered as more dangerous not only for the active users but also to other people.
“Ang challenge natin diyan…marami kasing mga bata, and consistent sa epidemiology, maraming bata ang nakakakita ng mga “Do It Yourself” na mga videos online. So, ang dami nang mga iba-ibang version ng boga,” Domingo said said.
“Dati ‘pag sinabing boga, ang iniisip ‘yung PVC pipe pero… iba-iba [na ngayon], may mga lata, may mga bote, na mas lalong delikado kasi ‘pag ‘yung materyales iba-iba at hindi standard, eh talagang sasabog talaga ‘yan,” he added.
The ‘Boga’ is made from large PVC pipes and fueled by denatured alcohol.
But the 2024 versions saw improvised versions as they used materials, such as gas, which they need to monitor.
Meanwhile, aside from boga, the other firecrackers that had caused most of the injuries included 5-Star, Kwitis, homemade firecrackers, and Piccolo.
According to the latest data from DOH, it showed 141 people were hurt due to the firecrackers between 6 a.m. of December 31, 2024 to 5:59 a.m. of January 1, 2025.
It brings up the total cases from December 22, 2024 to January 1, 2025 to 340 — 34% lower than the 519 cases recorded during the same period last year.
“Tuloy pa rin ang pagiging Code White ng mga ospital all the way until January 6. Handang handa po ang lahat, ‘yung mga gamit ay hindi nauubusan,” he said.
Read More:
