“As of December 27, at least 107 injuries caused by fireworks and one due to stray bullet have been recorded, according to DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag.
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“What has become a warlike revelry of noise and pollution is no longer entertaining as we see young children getting disfigured by firecracker blast, the surroundings carpeted in trash and the air reaching hazardous levels that are not safe to breathe,” EcoWaste Coalition vice president Ochie Tolentino said in a statement. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)”
Firecracker injury (Photo credit: Niels_Olson)
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From tempo.com.ph
“Firecracker zones
“Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police is pushing for a firecracker zone in every barangay in the country as part of the safety measures to reduce the number of injuries for the New Year’s revelry.
“Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, director of the Firearms and Explosives Office, said it has already been prove that the existence of firecracker zones are life and limbs-saving measures as it limits the areas where dangers of injuries and even fire incidents would occur. (Aaron B. Recuenco)”
Photo under License Creative Commons
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From GMA News Online:
“LGUs affirm success of local firecracker bans
“xxx(L)ocal government units with firecracker bans are continuing with their policies xxx Olongapo City, meanwhile, which followed Davao’s lead in 2008 by implementing its own firecracker ban, has since reported no injuries caused by fireworks. xxx In Muntinlupa City, which passed an ordinance banning firecrackers in 2010, xxx public safety officials and police had met to discuss the firecracker, xxx. Pateros said that though its firecracker ordinance is limited only to the prohibition of the sale, distribution and storage of firecrackers in the town, it still heavily promotes alternative ways of greeting a brand new year, such as using toy horns and banging on pots and pans.xxx the Department of Health brought up the idea of a nationwide fireworks ban as the number of holiday-related firework injuries continue to rise days before the New Year. Out of the 1,022 holiday-related firework injuries recorded from December 21, 2011 to January 5, 2012, 600 cases or about 60 percent were recorded in the National Capital Region, according to the Philippine National Police. Within the NCR, Quezon City posted the most number of victims during the last New Year celebration having 200 casualties xxx Manila and Pasig followed Quezon City with the highest recorded firecracker-related injuries during the last New Year revelry xxx The PNP earlier warned the public of 20 illegal firecrackers, including the Piccolo, that were out in the market. The police likewise cautioned against using ‘oversize’ firecracker products, which have more than the 0.2 gram maximum explosive content set for firecrackers. Examples of these hyper-crackers are the “Gangnam Bomb,” “Goodbye Bading,” and “End of the World.” To lessen firecracker-related injuries, the PNP also urged barangay officials to designate firecracker zones in their respective areas. For its part, the Health Department earlier this month launched its campaign “Oppa Gangnam Kontra-Paputok” which urged the public to dance in the infamous Korean song “Oppa Gangnam Style” this New Year, instead of using firecrackers. Also, for a safe and eco-friendly New Year celebration, it was suggested that homemade confetti made of recycled paper be used or else the celebrations can be turned into a paint party. — DVM, GMA News”
Stories first posted at 7:30 am Monday Nov. 27, 2012
“Abu Sayyaf man arrested
Sunday, 25 November 2012 00:00 (from zamboangatoday.ph)
“A suspected member of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) involved in kidnappings in Western Mindanao was arrested by joint police and military operatives in Barangay Tulungatung, this city, the other day.”
404551_03_philippines (Photo credit: ussocom_ru)
“Arrested was identified as Alexander Antonio y Son alias Tuma, 25, and presently residing at Urban Poor, Tulungatung. xxx
“The accused was allegedly involved in the 2002 kidnapping of the 6 Jehovah’s Witness members in Sulu, wherein two kidnap victims were beheaded.
“He is also placed under investigation for his possible involvement in the Flordeliza Ongchua kidnapping incident last November 13, 2012 in Purok 5, Barangay Labuan, this city.”
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“25 unclaimed cadavers buried
(from sunstar.com.ph) by Bong Garcia Sunday, November 25, 2012
“THE City Government of Zamboanga has laid to rest in a mass burial the remains of 25 unclaimed and unidentified people including two babies stored at a local funeral parlor for almost a year.
Morgue (Photo credit: Aloriel)
“The mass burial, which was held at the government-owned cemetery in the village of Talabaan, was jointly organized by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and City Health Office (CHO).
“The burial was done following appropriate blessing rites officiated by a Catholic priest, an Imam and a Christian protestant, according to Evelyn Las Marias, officer-in-charge of the CSWDO.
“Of the 25 cadavers, 21 were male adults, two were adult female while two were babies, who were either found dead in various sites or we left unattended at local hospital, Las Marias said.
“The cadavers’ cause of death varies and included gunshot wounds, stabbing, old age or natural death and still born among others, Las Marias said. xxx”
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“Domestic violence against women, children rising in Phl
philstar.com) | Updated November 26, 2012 – 11:03pm
“MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) – Domestic violence committed against women and children have been increasing in the Philippines, a senior government official said today.
“Citing the record of the Women and Children Protection Center of the Philippine National Police, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said that in 2011, some 15,104 cases of domestic violence were reported.
“The 2011 figure is 5,619 cases more than the 2010 figure of 9, 485 cases, she said, adding that for 2012, some 12,948 cases were recorded covering January to August.
“One out of five women, aged 15-49, has experienced physical violence, 14.4 percent of married women have suffered physical abuse from their husbands; 37 percent of separated or widowed women have experienced physical violence, Soliman also said, quoting the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the National Statistics Office. xxx
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“Vietnam refuses to stamp new Chinese passports over map
(from bbc.co.uk)
“Vietnamese officials are refusing to stamp new Chinese passports bearing a map that lays claim to disputed areas.
First Chinese passport I’ve held (Photo credit: Simon)
“Border authorities have instead been issuing visas on separate pieces of paper and stamping those issued previously as invalid.
“Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan have objected to the map because it shows disputed islands in the South China Sea to be a part of China. Xxxxxx xxx xxx
“More Facebook friends = more stress, poll findsby Tim Hornyak November 26, 2012 1:58 PM PST from news.cnet.com
“xxxA report by the University of Edinburgh Business School has found that increasing friends — specifically different groups of friends — increases the potential for stress. xxx
stress (Photo credit: giuseppesavo)
“ “Stress arises when a user presents a version of [herself or himself] on Facebook that is unacceptable to some of their online ‘friends,’ such as posts displaying behavior such as swearing, recklessness, drinking, and smoking,” the university said in a release.
“ “The more social circles a person is linked to online the more likely social media will be a source of stress.” “
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