PRELUDE TO ‘TRASLACION’ Devotees of the Black Nazarene bring replicas of the revered image to Quiapo Church in Manila to be blessed. The gathering may be considered a preview of the bigger annual procession known as “traslacion,’’ which will be on Jan. 9. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition urged the public to keep the Feast of the Black Nazarene clean, anticipating waste from the millions of devotees expected to flock to Manila on Jan. 9.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority previously said cleaning would immediately be underway following behind the crowd as the image of the Black Nazarene is brought from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church during the Traslacion.
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“We appeal to all the devotees to manifest their gratitude, affection and trust to Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno by keeping the feast as respectful and clean as any faith-inspired act should be,” EcoWaste campaigner Ochie Tolentino said in a statement on Sunday.
“We urge the devotees to take steps to prevent and reduce the volume of trash, notably single-use plastics, left on the streets for others to pick up and dispose of. It is not okay to leave a trail of litter even if there will be people tasked to clean up after you,” Tolentino implored.
According to the group, citing data from the local government, the Traslacion generated 468 metric tons or 158 truckloads of garbage in 2024.
Tolentino projected, “With COVID-19 pandemic restrictions lifted and everything else has returned to normal, we foresee more trash being generated in this year’s Traslacion.”
Reminders for poll bets
EcoWaste also had reminders for candidates in the May 2025 national and local elections.
“With the midterm elections fast approaching, some political aspirants to score ‘pogi’ points might even give out free meals and drinks, albeit in disposable plastic or paper containers, which will surely add to the mess,” Tolentino warned.
The coalition urged political aspirants to use reusable containers if they would provide food and water to devotees for charity. It also appealed to candidates to refrain from distributing materials and hanging tarpaulins along the processional route.
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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) previously urged candidates for the polls to refrain from politicizing the religious event.
Further, EcoWaste stressed that its anti-litter campaign for the Traslacion came as the country observes Zero Waste Month in January, instituted by Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.