Black Nazarene devotees warned not to buy street foods, drinks

Health Secretary Enrique Ona

MANILA, Philippines—Don’t buy drinks and foods being sold at the streets during the Black Nazarene festival, the Department of Health (DOH) advised devotees Tuesday in order to prevent untoward incidents.

“It would be more practical and healthy for devotees to bring their own food and snacks to the procession and avoid street foods as these are exposed to dust particles and other pollutants in the streets and are sometimes unsanitary,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said in a statement.

They should also bring their own drinking water to prevent dehydration, Ona said.

He further advised devotees to not bring children to the procession to avoid injuries from the pushing of the crowds.

Children are also very susceptible to diseases that can easily be passed in such a crowded environment, Ona said.

Emergency medical teams have been deployed already at select posts along the route of the procession to attend to any accidents, Ona said.

They will be at Quirino Grandstand near Museo Pambata; National Museum; Post Office/Liwasang Bonifacio; Metropolitan Theater area; Mercury Drug near Quiapo Church; CityState Hotel along Quezon Boulevard; 7-11 Quezon Blvd North Bound; UST Lerma; and Palanca Street near Ayala Bridge.

A Code White Alert has been raised in all Metro Manila hospitals Tuesday and will be in effect until Thursday.

“The DOH Health Emergency Management Staff will continuously monitor the event and will be at the Quiapo Command Post coordinating with other agencies involved in the celebration,” Ona said.