THE Health Department credited the rain and its scare tactic yesterday for the 25-percent drop in firecracker-related injuries on New Year’s Eve.

“The slight rain showers over Metro Manila hung like a cloud, frustrating those who light fireworks to welcome the New Year,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.

He said only 88 people were injured by firecrackers Wednesday night against 417 last year.

He made the statement even as the National Police said firecracker-related injuries declined by 30 percent, adding the police force was going back to normal alert following its high alert during the holidays.

National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa said only 532 firecracker-related incidents were reported for the period Dec. 16 to 31, and those compared with 828 for the same period last year.

Light rain fell over Metro Manila Wednesday until the early hours of Thursday, putting a damper on New Year celebrations. Weather forecasters said the first day of 2009 would likely be cloudy or rainy.

Duque said the government’s anti-firecracker campaign was relatively effective, but health authorities and hospitals would be ready for people exploding firecrackers and injuring themselves.

“The extended holiday may propel more people to light firecrackers until the weekend,” he said. Macon Ramos Araneta with Romie A. Evangelista