Road traffic incidents emerged as the primary source of holiday-related emergencies across Central Visayas, resulting in hundreds of injuries, according to the latest data from health authorities.
Fireworks Injuries See Decline, But Concerns Remain
The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 7 reported a notable decrease in fireworks-related injuries during the recent holiday season. From December 21, 2025, to 6:00 a.m. on January 1, 2026, the region recorded 73 cases. This figure represents an eight percent decline from the 79 cases documented during the same period in 2024.
Most of these injuries were concentrated in Cebu Province, which logged 27 cases. The major urban centers accounted for a significant portion: Cebu City (20 cases), Lapu-Lapu City (16 cases), and Mandaue City (one case). Bohol province reported nine cases. These numbers were gathered from the region's two sentinel hospitals and 26 non-sentinel facilities.
The DOH 7 cautioned that these figures are provisional and may increase as data reconciliation and further verification processes continue. Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Committee on Disaster Response, highlighted that at the Cebu City Medical Center, minors constituted the majority of the fireworks victims. Fortunately, most victims have been discharged from medical care.
Common culprits behind the injuries were identified as "kwitis," "lantaka," and unidentified fireworks. The health agency reiterated its call for residents to seek immediate medical attention for any fireworks injury and to strictly avoid using illegal pyrotechnics. It emphasized that fireworks should only be ignited in designated safe areas.
Road Accidents Dominate Emergency Statistics
While fireworks injuries decreased, road crashes presented a far more widespread problem. From December 21, 2025, to January 1, 2026, a total of 274 injuries from road accidents were recorded by the DOH 7.
The victims were primarily drivers (169 cases), followed by front or rear passengers (85 cases), and pedestrians (20 cases). The injuries were nearly evenly split between collisions, which caused 139 cases, and non-collision incidents like skidding or vehicle overturning, which accounted for 135 cases.
In a positive note, authorities reported no incidents of indiscriminate firing or stray bullet cases during the period. The Police Regional Office 7 credited this to a strong and visible police presence throughout the region.
Chronic Disease Emergencies and Public Appeal
Beyond trauma cases, the DOH 7 also monitored emergencies related to chronic lifestyle diseases. It logged 38 such cases, which included two fatalities. The breakdown includes bronchial asthma (26 cases, all survived), acute stroke (nine cases, with one death), and acute coronary syndrome (three cases, with one death).
The agency ended its report with a strong appeal to the public. It urged everyone to prioritize safety, for motorists to avoid driving under the influence, and for patients with chronic conditions to remain compliant with their medications and seek early medical care when needed.
