New Year celebration: generally peaceful in Aklan
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has monitored three cases of firecracker injuries during the New Year revelries throughout the province of Aklan.

Dr. Emma Cortes, Provincial Health Officer II, said the incidents represent a 72 percent decrease compared to last year's figure of 11 injuries caused by firecrackers. No injuries due to stray bullets were reported, but, at least three people were admitted in the provincial hospital due to stabbing.

Cortes attributed the decrease in the number of injuries to the efforts and intensified campaign of the law enforcement, media, local government and health officials against illegal pyrotechnics and firecrackers in welcoming the New Year.

Apart from the campaign by DOH, the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) ordered the local police to monitor and regulate the use of firecrackers during the Christmas and New Year's day festivities. To prevent indiscriminate firing, the local police sealed their service firearms in compliance with the directive of Philippine National Police (PNP).

Among the illegal firecrackers seized by APPO in 13 municipalities are whistle bomb, pla-pla and piccolo, which normally victimized children aged 13 years old and below, in violation of Republic Act No. 7183.

Aklan police director Senior Superintendent Epifanio Bragais, Jr. said the New Year and Christmas celebration all over the province was generally peaceful, marked by a decline in firecracker-related injuries.

In the island of Boracay, a garment store caught fire at the height of revelry in Sitio Ambulong, Barangay Manoc-Manoc but was placed under control by responding firefighters. There were no casualties reported from the fire, according to Bureau of Fire Protection Boracay.