Central Visayas records 73 firework-related injuries

Firework-related injuries in Central Visayas increased as New Year celebrations peaked and extended into the early hours of January 1, 2026, according to the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7).

Despite the increase during the height of the celebrations, the DOH said the overall number of cases remained significantly lower compared with figures recorded during the same period last year.

Data released by the DOH Central Visayas Center for Health Development showed that a total of 73 firework-related injury cases were recorded from Wednesday, December 21, up to 6:00 a.m. of January 1, 2026.

Of this number, 33 cases were newly logged during the most recent reporting period that covered the New Year festivities.

The figures are part of the agency’s “Yuletide Injury Surveillance for 2025–2026,” which consolidates reports from two sentinel hospitals and 26 non-sentinel hospitals monitored across Central Visayas during the holiday season.

Based on the surveillance data, Cebu province recorded the highest number of firework-related injuries, with 27 cases as of New Year morning. Cebu City followed with 20 cases, while Lapu-Lapu City logged 16 cases during the same monitoring period.

Bohol reported nine firework-related injury cases, while Mandaue City recorded one case as of January 1, 2026.

The DOH report also showed that there were no recorded cases of fireworks ingestion or stray bullet injuries during the monitoring period.

All documented incidents across the provinces and highly urbanized cities in Central Visayas were classified solely as firework-related injuries.

Hospital reports indicated that many of the injuries involved fireworks such as kwitis, unidentified fireworks, and lantaka, according to the DOH Central Visayas surveillance data.

The health agency noted that figures from previous reports and consolidated data may still change, as case reconciliation and further validation processes are ongoing.

As New Year celebrations concluded, health authorities reiterated their call for the public to avoid the use of fireworks, particularly illegal ones, and to immediately seek medical attention in case of injury.

For emergencies, the public was advised to contact the National Emergency Hotline 911 or the DOH Central Visayas Regional Patient Navigation and Referral Unit hotline at #0711.