THE Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported that fireworks-related injuries across the country are 42 percent lower than last year. The latest data showed 235 cases of fireworks-related injuries were reported since Dec. 21, 2025, lower compared to last year’s 403 cases. Of the number, 62 occurred on New Year’s Day. “Even as we see today a lower than last year count for fireworks-related injuries, the DOH anticipates that late reports will come in from today, Jan. 1, all the way to Jan 5. We hope the lower count will stay,” said DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo. The agency said that most victims are 19-years-old and below. Many of the injuries were caused by unidentified fireworks, followed by boga and five star. Domingo reminded the public to seek medical attention — even for those who encountered minor wounds — to avoid tetanus infection. “Symptoms do not appear until around eight days, some up to 21 days later, and they can be deadly. Vaccination against tetanus is available at hospitals,” Domingo said. Fireworks-related injuries are among the cases that the DOH monitored during the holiday season, along with noncommunicable diseases, mental health and road crash injuries. Despite the national decline in fireworks-related injuries, the City of Manila reported over 100 cases on New Year’s Day. Dr. Grace Padilla, officer in charge of the Manila Health Department, said as of 6 a.m., a total of 106 incidents had been reported across all district hospitals in the country’s capital — seven of those cases were severe, while the rest were mild. No fatalities have been reported so far. Grenade attack In Matalam, North Cotabato, police launched a province-wide manhunt for two men on a motorbike who lobbed a hand grenade at a roadside New Year’s Eve celebration, injuring at least 22 people. The revelers who sustained shrapnel wounds are now receiving treatment in various hospitals. Police said two men on a motorbike were seen tossing the explosive toward the roadside revelry in Barangay Dalapitan at past midnight while the people were welcoming the New Year. The attackers then sped away in an unknown direction. North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza condemned the attack and directed the police to arrest the perpetrator. “Violence has no place in the province. Those responsible should be brought before the bar of justice,” she said in a statement on Thursday. The provincial government is now attending to the victims’ medical needs, as ordered by Mendoza. Fewer fires Filipinos welcomed the New Year with a noticeable shift toward safer alternatives to traditional firecrackers, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported on Thursday, contributing to a generally calmer and more peaceful celebration across the country. Fire Supt. Anthony Arroyo, chief of the BFP Public Information Service, said authorities observed a marked change in public behavior as 2026 began. “Many people really used other alternatives. There were a lot of torotot (horns) welcoming the New Year,” he said in an interview. Torotot, the plastic horns widely used nationwide, have become a safer and more accessible substitute for pyrotechnics, which have long been associated with fire hazards and injuries. The BFP recorded 27 fire incidents caused by firecrackers and other pyrotechnics during the New Year celebration. While Arroyo acknowledged that some traditional fireworks were still used, he emphasized that the overall situation was calmer than in previous years. “Somehow, we can say it was more peaceful compared with last year. Overall, the welcoming of the New Year was peaceful,” he said. Data from the BFP also showed a significant decline in fire-related damage and casualties compared to previous years. Fires during the 2025 New Year period dropped by 28 percent, with only 28 incidents reported, compared to 39 in 2024. Financial losses from property damage fell sharply by 70 percent, from P210.5 million in 2024 to P62.7 million in 2025. Fatalities related to firecrackers decreased by 60 percent, while injuries fell by a third. Beyond firecrackers, Arroyo highlighted other significant causes of New Year fires. Electrical issues, particularly overloading due to decorative and Christmas lights, accounted for a substantial portion of incidents. “Aside from fireworks, the number one [cause] is actually electrical. The percentage of fire caused by electrical issues is very high, and that includes overloading because more people are installing decorative lights and Christmas lights — most of which are substandard products,” he said. Open flames used during cooking for Media Noche were also a major factor. The BFP urged the public to take preventive measures, such as unplugging appliances when not in use, avoiding substandard electrical devices and ensuring safe cooking practices. Arroyo noted that single and two-family dwellings accounted for the majority of fire incidents, followed by mercantile establishments, storage facilities and other types of businesses. Arroyo attributed the decline in fire incidents to both the public’s cooperation and the BFP’s proactive campaigns, particularly its “Oplan Paalala: Iwas Paputok” (Operation Reminder: Avoid Firecrackers) initiative. The program promoted fire safety awareness throughout the holiday season, encouraging families to adopt safer alternatives and to observe proper electrical safety. “Good signs are emerging that many are heeding the call to avoid using firecrackers. But it’s still not zero. That’s what we hope to achieve,” Arroyo said. WITH PNA