BALITANG NASYONAL: BAN Toxics partners with PBES to promote "Iwas Paputok" ahead of New Year festivities
QUEZON, MANILA -- Students, participants, top officials, and local government units (LGUs) of Barangay 'Payatas B' in Quezon City last Friday morning (December 12th, 2025 -- Manila local time) have been taken part with its environmental justice group 'BAN Toxics', in partnership with 'Payatas B Elementary School' (PBES), launching its annual school-based Toxics-Free and Waste-Free "Iwas Paputok" Campaign. The campaign, based on the theme "Iwas Paputok, Iwas Disgrasya, Iwas Polusyon" encourages a toxics-free, safer and cleaner way of celebrating the season of Christmas and New Year holidays.
Through the Toxics-Free and Waste-Free Schools Programme (TFSP) produced by the mentioned environmental justice group, it aims to create awareness of firecracker dangers to the environment and human health, promote responsible and greener holiday practices, and assist in the prevention or reduction of fireworks-related injuries (FWRI), especially among children and teens: "Our youth must understand the risks of firecrackers and the importance of celebrating responsibly. By educating them today, we are nurturing a generation that values safety and environmental protection" said School Principal named 'Antonio Miranda'.
Thony Dizon, Advocacy and Campaign Officer of 'BAN Toxics,' commented that a noise barrage and dynamic demonstration of inventive, greener noisemakers swept the tension before the start of the campaign, helping to drive the point home that the coming year's festivities can bring happiness without the use of destructive firecrackers: "As we strive for a safer celebration for the coming year, we call on the public to refrain from lighting firecrackers and to choose safer, non-polluting alternatives. This shift not only protects the environment but also safeguards public health, especially that of children", he said.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) previously documented that there were 843 cases of firework-related injuries in 2025, compared to 610 in 2024, indicating an increase of approximately 38% per year, where three (3) of them were unalived because of firecrackers and one also unalived after being hit by a stray bullet.
The consumption of firecrackers is now under the control of Executive Order #28, which restricts the use of fireworks to official displays in communities with supervised circumstances. The environmental justice group reminds the people that deadly and illegal firecrackers are still illegal under the Republic Act #7183 or the Firecracker Law of 1992, including the likes of Giant Bawang, Atomic Bomb or Triangle, large-size Judas Belt, and all overweight or oversized firecrackers that contain more than 0.2 grams of explosive powder.
Firecrackers release hazardous pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and chromium. Extensive exposure may harm respiratory and nervous systems and contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular and other severe illnesses: "We call on the government, the DOH, [Department of Trade and Industry], and other responsible agencies to initiate similar "Iwas Paputok" awareness campaigns, tighten the monitoring of online and offline markets for illegal firecrackers, and encourage the public, especially children, to avoid buying and using them", Dizon emphasized.
"[It can] pose serious risks, not just to our health and safety, but also to air quality and the environment [when inhaling a bit], with tons of mixed waste generated during festive celebrations. We can enjoy the holidays without jeopardizing public health or the planet. Let's choose a clean, safe, toxics-free, and waste-free way to celebrate", he concluded.
The "Iwas Paputok" campaign is a significant milestone in promoting more responsible and safer holiday activities in the Philippines. By educating students, involving community stakeholders, and raising awareness about the dangers of firecrackers, BAN Toxics is not only addressing a short-term issue of community health but also working towards long-term cultural change towards healthier festivity.
PHOTO COURTESY: BAN Toxics via PR PHOTO BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: TEGNA
-- OneNETnews Online Publication Team
