MANILA, Philippines- Malacanang congratulated on Monday the Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine National Police (PNP) for ‘generally peaceful’ New Year’s Day revelries.
“We congratulate the DOH for its successful ‘Iwas Paputok’ campaign and the PNP, together with the local executives, for a ‘generally peaceful’ celebration of Christmas and New Year,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar said in a text message to the Palace media.
According to the reports, the DOH and PNP’s ‘Iwas Paputok’ campaign reportedly brought down the number of injuries to lowest figure in the last 10 years.
DOH Secretary Paulyn Ubial said the number of injuries due to firecrackers and fireworks was cut to only 350 people from an average of 1,000 for the last 10 years.
“We have yet to see a signed Executive Order for the firecracker ban,” Andanar said.
According to the DOH, a draft of the E.O. has already been submitted in Malacanang.
“Although we are very much aware that the President is a strong advocate of the total firecrackers ban, there are industries and laborers also that would be affected by this move,” the PCO chief said.
“The President weighs/considers the welfare that would be for the greater good of all,” he added. (PNA)
