The province of Iloilo has recorded its first firecracker-related injury for the 2025 holiday season.
The victim was a five-year-old boy from Barangay Agdahon, Passi City, who was identified only as Matmat.
The boy lost vision in his right eye after being hit in the face by a boga, an improvised noise-making device made from bamboo or PVC pipes.
Matmat is currently confined at a hospital in Iloilo City while undergoing treatment. He is in need of an eye donor.
According to the Passi City Police Station, Matmat was playing with his 10-year-old sibling and a 7-year-old neighbor when the incident occurred.
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Matmat, based on the police station’s initial investigation, was allegedly targeted and struck by the boga fired by his sibling.
Last year, the province logged a total of 35 firecracker-related injuries. Of the number, 17 cases (48 percent), were caused by boga.
Miagao registered the highest number of cases in the province in 2024 at six, followed by Passi City with five. Ajuy, Dumangas, and Oton with three cases each.IMT
