Manila: A total of 229 people were injured by firecrackers and stray bullets from December 21 to yesterday, a day before New Year's Eve, a senior official said.
Majority of the incidents were from firecrackers, more than 60 per cent of which occurred in Metro Manila, said health Secretary Enrique Ona, adding that figures are expected to rise today despite tight control on the manufacture and sale of powerful firecrackers.
Several Metro areas scheduled the holding of colourful fireworks to satiate the eyes of the viewers and prevent people from lighting firecrackers.
More doctors and nurses have been fielded at the emergency centres of all hospitals in Metro Manila in anticipation of high number of injuries and accidents on New Year's Eve.
"We are prepared," said Ona. Majority of Filipinos' practices for greeting the New Year are dangerous to health and safety, warned Ona.
