Black Nazarene devotees leave behind tons of garbage
By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:36:00 01/10/2008
Filed Under: Waste, Customs & Traditions, Religion & Belief, Local authorities
MANILA, Philippines – Mounds of trash were collected yesterday after the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo.
The garbage was apparently left behind Wednesday by devotees of the Black Nazarene despite an appeal made earlier by the Ecowaste Coalition, an environmental group, for a “green” celebration.
An estimated 2.6 million devotees participated in the celebration of the Black Nazarene’s feast on Wednesday.
An employee of the City Hall’s Department of Public Services said they collected several truckloads of plastic bottles, styrofoam containers, sticks, candy and food wrappers.
Many sustained foot injuries after accidentally stepping on barbecue sticks carelessly thrown away by devotees, according to volunteer health workers.
The Ecowaste Coalition issued the appeal for a green fiesta after seeing mounds of garbage left behind by New Year revelers on Plaza Miranda.
The environmental group sought the support of church and barangay leaders, and even asked priests to include ecological reminders in their homilies.
Barangay officials agreed to put up banners to remind the public about proper waste disposal.
Meanwhile, Mayor Alfredo Lim vowed to deploy more cops for next year’s Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Two persons, Cecilia Fajardo and Alex Radovan, died during this year’s procession and several others were injured.
Lim condoled with the victims’ families and said the city’s Social Welfare Department would provide assistance.
But he said organizers and authorities could not be faulted for what happened during the celebration.
“Sobrang dami kasi ang dumagsa ngayong taon (There were too many people who came this year). This is the biggest number ever recorded, that’s why even the policemen who were deployed to the area were overwhelmed by the crowds,” Lim said.
A Mass was held in Quiapo Church yesterday morning for the devotees who died during the procession.
A church official said that although they repeatedly reminded devotees not to rush toward the religious image, they could not control the mob when the Black Nazarene was brought out of the church.
Church officials promised to help devotees who were hurt during the procession. They added that they would review arrangements this year to come up with a better crowd control plan for next year.
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