As the Philippines prepares to welcome another year, the vibrant tradition of lighting fireworks remains deeply ingrained in Filipino households. This practice, widely seen as a way to ward off bad luck and evil spirits, masks a dangerous reality that claims lives and limbs annually.
DOLE's Stern Reminder to a High-Risk Industry
Days before the annual revelry, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued a critical reminder to the pyrotechnics industry. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma emphasized that compliance with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards is "non-negotiable." This firm government stance highlights the unacceptable safety gaps in many fireworks factories.
The pyrotechnics sector is recognized as a high-risk occupation. Over the years, numerous incidents of factory explosions, warehouse fires, and worker casualties have been reported, often due to inadequate facilities and a lack of proper protective measures.
The Human Cost of Celebration
The drive for festive celebration is often shadowed by negligence. Data from the Department of Health (DOH) reveals a stark picture: on the last day of 2024 alone, 188 people were injured by fireworks. This number represents 188 individuals who began their new year in a hospital, with some facing permanent disabilities like lost fingers, damaged eyesight, and severe burns.
These incidents frequently stem from a lack of discipline. Some individuals, emboldened by courage or alcohol, hold fireworks in their hands while lighting them. Others make the fatal mistake of picking up a "dud" or misfired firework to relight it, causing it to explode in their face or hands.
A Call for Accountability and Safer Alternatives
DOLE's initiative to strengthen monitoring, in collaboration with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Local Government Units (LGUs), is a crucial step to ensure business owners are held accountable. Profit should never be prioritized over the lives of workers who labor to provide public entertainment.
Every January 1, hospital emergency rooms are flooded with patients suffering from fireworks-related injuries—a scene that should be obsolete. Numerous safer and cheaper alternatives exist to create a joyful noise, such as:
- Blowing horns or trumpets (torotot)
- Banging pots and lids
- Honking car horns
- Playing loud music
Beyond physical harm, the impact of fireworks on the environment and health must be considered. The smoke can damage lungs, especially in children and the elderly, while the loud blasts cause severe stress and anxiety to pets and animals.
This year, let the hope be for a significant drop in injury statistics. Celebration should honor life, not endanger it with gunpowder.
