On Monday, Malacañang Palace congratulated the Department of Health, the Philippine National Police, and the local government officials for a peaceful holiday season.
"?We congratulate the Department of Health (DOH) for its very successful Iwas Paputok campaign and the Philippine National Police (PNP), together with the local executives, for a ‘generally peaceful’ celebration of Christmas and New Year," presidential communications secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.
According to Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag, only 521 were injured by firecrackers and fireworks when Filipinos welcomed 2017, while the 10-year average was 1,000.
Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial claimed that "fear" of President Rodrigo Duterte lessened the number of firecracker victims this year.
Meanwhile, Andanar reiterated that while Duterte wants a total firecracker ban, he cares about what will happen to industry and its workers if he signed the draft executive order.
"??We have yet to see a signed EO for the firecracker ban. 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 President weighs/considers the welfare that would be for the greater good of all," he said.
