MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) reported a decline in fireworks-related injuries and road crashes nationwide from Dec. 21 to 26, 2025 compared with the same period last year. The DOH said 57 fireworks-related injury cases were recorded, 49 percent lower year-on-year, with the National Capital Region recording the highest number at 25 cases, mostly involving males aged 10 to 14 and commonly caused by 5-Star, kwitis, boga, and triangulo. Road crashes totaled 263 cases, down by 7 percent from 2024, with Regions II (Cordillera Administrative Region), V (Bicol), and IV-A (Calabarzon) posting the most number of incidents, largely affecting males aged 20 to 24, and with motorcycles accounting for 73 percent of all cases. The health department added that 85 percent of those involved in road crashes were not using safety accessories, while 12 percent were intoxicated at the time of the incident. Aside from injuries and crashes, the DOH recorded 127 cases of noncommunicable diseases, mostly acute stroke and heart attack, and 451 calls to the National Center for Mental Health Hotline 1553, which peaked on Dec. 23, dominated by young adult callers experiencing anxiety, relationship, and family-related concerns.