Black Nazarene procession nearing McArthur Bridge

MANILA, Philippines–The Black Nazarene procession is now coming closer to the McArthur Bridge, one of the two aging bridges in Manila that the Department of Public Works and Highways said may not hold the unusual heavy load of devotees that would pass by it due to its age.

Manila traffic bureau desk officer, Julian Tangan, said the procession carrying the Black Nazarene is now descending the flyover that is near to the Mc Arthur bridge. The devotees of roughly half a million arrived at the flyover around 12:55 p.m.

Asked of what time the group would probably reach the old bridge, Tangan said it is difficult to make an estimate as the movement of the Nazarene slowed down a bit due to light rains in the area few minutes earlier.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earlier quoted Secretary Rogelio Singson as saying that devotees joining the procession should only use one lane of the bridge. However, Tangan said the entire bridge would probably be filled with people as “the crowd would possible be out of control.”

“Roughly 20 meters nalang ang bridge pagbaba ng flyover,” he said.

The Carriedo area near the Quiapo Church is now filled with undetermined number of devotees.

Security officers have been scattered around the area.

Meanwhile, devotees of the Black Nazarene gathered at the Plaza Miranda in front of Quiapo Church scrambled for cover when light rain fell past noon Wednesday.

The weather was clear all morning but the sky turned dark around noon.

Pilgrims attending Mass outside the Quiapo church ran for cover to avoid getting wet.

Many who remained outside the church brought out umbrellas or put towels over their heads to protect them from the rain. Jamie Marie Elona and Matikas Santos