Manila, Jan. 1 -- Firework-related injuries recorded during the New Year celebrations declined this year, with the Department of Health (DOH) reporting 235 cases from Dec. 21, 2025, to 4 a.m. of Jan. 1, 2026.

Data from 62 sentinel hospitals on Thursday showed the figure is 42 percent lower than cases recorded during the same period in 2024, and significantly below the 403 injuries logged on Jan. 1, 2025.

Of the total number of cases, 161 involved individuals aged 19 and below, reflecting the continued vulnerability of minors to firework-related accidents. The DOH said 62 cases were recorded on Dec. 21 alone, the first day of its annual injury surveillance.

Most injuries were linked to unidentified fireworks, "boga," and "five star" fir...