Ms Garin said the number of people injured was less than half of last year’s toll because of rain late on New Year’s Eve and a Government scare campaign which showed past victims with fingers ripped off by firecracker blasts.
Powerful firecrackers are used by many superstitious Filipinos at New Year to drive away bad luck and evil.
The Government has promoted firework displays sponsored by shopping centres, cities and TV networks to dissuade people from lighting their own firecrackers.
