MMDA: 1,000 personnel to maintain order in 2020 Black Nazarene feast

In this photo taken during the 2019 Traslacion, a massive crowd of Filipino Roman Catholic devotees follows the carriage of the Black Nazarene during a raucous procession to celebrate its feast day, January 9, in Manila, Philippines. Tens of thousands of mostly barefoot Filipino Catholics would join the annual procession of a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene that usually ends before dawn the next day. (AP File Photo/Bullit Marquez)

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday said it will deploy 1,000 personnel and volunteers for the Feast of Black Nazarene next week.

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said the personnel – composed of members of the Metro Public Safety Office (MPSO), Traffic Discipline Office, Metro Parkways Clearing Group, and Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group – will provide assistance during the annual procession of the Black Nazarene on January 9.

The personnel will help the police, concerned government agencies, and the local government of Manila in a move to maintain peace and order during the religious celebration.

Aside from peace and order, first-aid will also be provided through MPSO, in coordination with volunteers, to devotees who would need emergency assistance.

“Our action plan is already in place. Aside from manpower, ambulances, road emergency vehicles, traffic mobile cars, and other necessary equipment will also be dispatched,” Lim said in a statement.

Preparations at Luneta

Michael Salalima, concurrent Chief of Staff, Office of the General Manager and Focal Person for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, said preparations are also underway at Quirino Grandstand – the starting point of the annual procession.

Among the preparations being done at Quirino Grandstand include setting up of tents, plastic barriers, and fences.

Several events will also take place at Quirino Grandstand, including the “Pahalik” or kissing of the Black Nazarene image, procession of Black Nazarene replicas, Vigil, and Eucharistic Celebration.

“We are now installing barriers for the traditional ‘Pahalik’ as a crowd control measure and help bring order during the queuing of devotees,” Salalima said.

Road closures

MMDA further said several roads that serve as the route of the procession will be temporarily closed to motorists on January 9.

According to Lim, clearing of possible obstructions along the route of the procession had been ordered.

The route of the Traslacion will originate at Quirino Grandstand and would move towards Katigbak Road thru Padre Burgos St., Finance Road thru Ayala Boulevard, Palanca St., Quezon Boulevard, Arlegui St., Fraternal St., Vergara St., Duque de Alba St., Castillejos St., Farnecio St., Arlegui St., Nepomuceno St., Concepcion Aguila St., Carcer St., Hidalgo thru Plaza Del Carmen, Bilibid Viejo thru Gil Puyat, JP De Guzman St., Hidalgo St., Quezon Boulevard, Palanca St. thru under Quezon Bridge, Villalobos thru Plaza Miranda, and culminate at Quiapo Church.

Edited by KGA