Fireworks, revelry gunfire injure 476

Monday, January 2, 2012
MANILA (Updated 1:15 p.m.) — Illegal firecrackers and celebratory gunfire in the Philippines injured 476 people during New Year’s Day, and the number is 13 percent lower compared to last year’s 546, the Health department said Sunday.
The figure is also 11 percent lower compared to the five-year (2006-2010) annual average of 536.
The Department of Health (DOH) said as of 6 a.m. Sunday 454 injuries of the 476 were fireworks related, 18 from stray bullets and four from firework ingestion.

The most number of firework related injuries came from the National Capital Region (NCR), 298 or 66 percent, Calabarzon, 29 or six percent, and Ilocos Region, 28 or six percent.
The NCR also had the most number of injuries from stray bullets, 12 or 67 percent.
“These are partial reports even as we appeal to those injured at home to seek consultation and to the public to clear the streets of remnants of blasted fireworks to prevent children from getting injured when picking on unexploded fireworks,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said.
Among firework related injuries, males were mostly affected, 364 or 80 percent, while the age group 1-10 years, 177 or 37 percent, and 11-20 years, 129 or 27 percent, outnumbered other age groups.
There were more active users than passive stand-by and the injuries resulted in minor burns, blast, cuts, eye burns, abrasions, lacerations and amputations and disarticulations.
The top five injury-causing fireworks were Piccolo, Kwitis, Fountain, Five Star and Luces. There were more injuries from legal fireworks than illegal fireworks, the DOH said.
In support of the DOH campaign on Aksiyon Paputok Injury Reduction (Apir), the Manila government passed an ordinance that held parents legally responsible for the injuries of their children.
Meanwhile, the Department of Interior and Local Government reported 54 people arrested for possession and sale of illegal fireworks.
“Still worrisome is the number of injuries from stray bullets,” Ona said, adding that the DILG reported eight incidents of indiscriminate firing and 13 persons were arrested.
“We really need to impose stricter control on indiscriminate firing of guns to avoid these injuries to hapless individuals,” said Ona.
The Apir injury surveillance will last until January 5 for acute injuries and until January 21 for tetanus cases.
Many Filipinos, largely influenced by Chinese tradition, believe that noisy New Year’s celebrations drive away evil and misfortune. But they have carried that superstition to extremes, exploding huge firecrackers and firing guns to welcome the New Year despite threats of arrest. One particularly huge triangular firecracker is labeled: “Goodbye Philippines.”
Although the number of injuries has tapered off in recent years, largely due to hard economic times and the government’s scare campaign, the figures remain alarming.
“Doctors are waiting with surgical saws, bone cutters and drills in case your fingers need to be amputated,” Tayag said in a television interview to dissuade illegal fireworks. “I hope this won’t happen.”
Red Cross official Gwendolyn Pang said about 3,500 blood bags were prepared by her group for expected emergency surgeries, adding that she was most concerned with celebratory gunfire.
Dozens of hospitals nationwide were on full alert, their emergency rooms staffed with trauma doctors for the expected influx of injured revelers.
The government has gone to extremes to discourage dangerous celebrations. The health department has shown gory pictures of mangled hands and eyes in posters in the past but the violent tradition has continued.
Philippine National Police Chief Nicanor Bartolome warned policemen of immediate dismissal and criminal prosecution if they fire their guns to welcome the New Year. However, at least three policemen were reported to have violated the warning and were under investigation.
Bartolome led officers in sealing the muzzles of guns of policemen with masking tape and then signing them in a symbolic warning to would-be violators.
He said 45 people were already arrested for violating Republic Act 7183 or the manufacturing, distribution, sale, possession and use of illegal firecrackers.
Instead of lighting up dangerous firecrackers, Tayag urged Filipinos to troop to public squares to watch colorful fireworks. He also unveiled a new tactic: a free CD that contains thundering sound of the most powerful firecrackers popular among revelers.
More than 50,000 people have downloaded the firecracker audio file from the health department website, he said
In Davao City, Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is offering P3,000 cash to any information on violators of the city’s firecracker ban as the world ushers in the New Year.
In his television program program “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” that was taped Friday but will be aired on Sunday, Duterte said all the informants have to do is text the authorities about violators and show to him proof they indeed own the number that texted the authorities.(AP/BOT/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/12/31/fireworks-revelry-gunfire-injure-476-198325

Places to go in Pampanga, visit the private resort in Clark Philippines, kids enjoy Clearwater Resort the most; conveniently located near Manila and Subic. Field Trip Destination near Manila and the best venue for school outings and family picnics is Clearwater Resort located in Angeles City, Clark Philippines.

Best hotel in Pampanga is a top rated place to visit outside of Manila. This private resort in Clark Philippines is one of the hotels in Pampanga that kids enjoy Clearwater Resort the most. This Pampanga hotel is conveniently located near Manila and Subic. The hotel in Pampanga is a popular field trip destination near Manila and the private resort offers the best venue for school outings and family picnics is Clearwater Resort located in Angeles City, Clark Philippines.

Frequently visited private resort in Manila is Clearwater, highly recommended by travel guide as the best hotel in Angeles City Pampanga, a good hotel to stay in and a wonderful outdoor resort to relax and unwind with children is this exclusive resort in Clark Pampanga is a place that kids really enjoy. Tourists and residents of Manila going out of town on a getaway to the north, frequently visit Clearwater Resort to relax and unwind in a good hotel in Clark Pampanga and take a break from stress of city living in Manila. The beautiful scenery and the quiet ambience of the lake and beach of this resort in Clark attract many visitors throughout the year, especially those who look for a good place to spend their holidays near Manila.

Yats Restaurant is an excellent Restaurant to dine, a restaurant with good food, a good place to have birthday party and special events. A Kid-friendly restaurants in Manila

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

www.YatsRestaurant.com
Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion

www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Looking for a restaurant in Clark for a Business meeting? Or a place to eat with friends? Yats Restaurant offers exclusive dinner venue for groups, a good place to celebrate special occasions, it can be a party venue in town. Yats Restaurant is a recommended restaurant for private dinner in Philippines, a well-recognized restaurant that serves good food and good wines for dinner.

Event organizers and planners looking for a large venue for big groups in outdoor functions and gatherings highly recommend Clearwater Resort located near Manila in Clark Philippines. Most hotels in Pampanga are tight in space and few offer any real outdoor space that families with children need to let kids enjoy the facilities of a good private resort near Manila. This special hotel in Angeles Pampanga Clark Freeport offers large space and facilities that can accommodate big events, concerts, company outings, team building and other company and social gatherings.

What really defines the ambience and lifestyle of this private outdoor resort in Clark is its spacious picnic grounds. The largest one is called the Brunello Garden which can easily accommodate functions and events for 3000 or more. Being several hectares in area, this amenity of Clearwater Resort is frequently visited for family picnics. Visitors from Manila travel to Clark to unwind and relax underneath old Acacia trees in the Brunello Gardens. This is one way for stressed out city residents to spend quality time in a leisure laidback pace.

For inquiries and bookings, click here to contact Clearwater Resort now

Family bonding can be very enjoyable this summer vacation if travelers can go north to Clark Pampanga and hang out in famous and highly recommended beach resort near Manila Clearwater near Angeles City Philippines. This is one of the best hotel resort in Pampanga, frequently visited by family travelers with children.

There is a casual café with a beautiful view which serves good breakfast and basic lunch and dinner. Foodies can opt to drive over to Mimosa about 3 minutes away just a bit too far to walk, to have dinner at the fine-dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar. This cozy and romantic restaurant serves French Mediterranean cuisine at prices that are surprisingly affordable. For wine lovers, this restaurant in Mimosa Clark Freeport Pampanga is a treat with its award winning 3000-line wine lists that contain not only the famous labels but also connoisseurs’ choice of fine vintage wines.

Clearwater Beach and Lake Resort
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo, Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(632) 633-1566 (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177 Joanne or Jeremy

Reservation@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea, Kristine or Chay

Getting to this beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

Staying in a good hotel or resort in Pampanga Clark Philippines, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

While staying in some of the best hotels in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

Clark Pampanga has many good hotels and resorts to choose from, accommodating guests looking for holidays and vacations in the Philippines. Best hotels in Pampanga offer good outdoor facilities to children and kids to enjoy the resort while parents and adults relax and unwind in safe and clean venues. For assistance with hotels in Pampanga and Clark Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

The London Pub is a very popular resto bar for residents, tourists, business executives and visitors from Manila to hang out, drink, relax and unwind after work or a game of golf during the day. Fine English cuisine, family comfort food is served. It is also very famous for the best fish n chips in the Philippines.
http://www.LondonPubClark.com

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