Devotees queue up to kiss, touch and wipe the Jesus Nazareno image while whispering their prayers at the start of the “pahalik” at Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Tuesday (Jan. 7, 2025). | PNA photo by Yancy Lim
MANILA, Philippines — A virtual emergency operations center (EOC) was established in line with the preparations for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Tuesday.
According to a statement, the virtual EOC “aims to facilitate real-time communication and swift coordination among response clusters and local government units.”
It added that the initiative ensures that “information flows efficiently across all agencies involved.” Further, the OCD said that the virtual EOC will remain operational until Friday, January 10.
It also noted that a response cluster meeting was virtually held by the Metropolitan Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council that established emergency preparedness measures to ensure public safety.
READ: Nazareno 2025: Full deployment, gun ban, road closures on Jan. 8 – MPD
“[V]arious agencies demonstrate their commitment to ensuring a safe and well-coordinated [Jesus] Nazarene Traslacion, reflecting a united front in managing one of the Philippines’ most significant religious events,” the statement read.
Aside from these measures, the Manila Police District (MPD) will be imposing a gun ban in Manila from January 8 to January 11 while Mayor Honey Lacuna earlier said that a liquor ban will be implemented around the vicinity of the feast’s area in Quiapo from January 8 to January 10.
MPD also announced a “no sail zone” in an area within a one-kilometer radius from the Quirino Grandstand from January 6, 12 noon to January 10, 12 noon.
A “no fly zone, drone zone” will also be implemented within the vicinity of Quirino Grandstands and Quiapo Church from January 8 to January 10.
READ: Nazarene feast: What devotees need to know for Traslacion 2025
Around 14,000 MPD personnel will be deployed to ensure safety of devotees that will participate in the Traslacion, or the procession of the image of Jesus Nazarene, on Thursday.