Hours before the world greets 2009, at least 165 revelry-related injuries were recorded in the Philippines, ranging from firecracker injuries to indiscriminate firing.

The health department said the increase in the number of injuries came despite an aggressive campaign, launched by the department, against the use of firecrackers and indiscriminate firing, and the ban of the use of firecrackers to greet the New Year.

Dr. Eric Tayag, chief of the Department of Health's National Epidemiology Center said half of the cases involve children aged 10 and younger.

He said most of the injured children were accidentally hit by firecrackers lit by adults.

However, he said the figure is still lower than the same period last year.

Tayag said he hopes the rainy weather being experienced in Manila would lessen the public's use of firecrackers, particularly at midnight on New Year's Eve when celebrants greet the coming of 2009.