Manila taps disaster body to handle Black Nazarene procession

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—In anticipation of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, the Manila city government has tapped its disaster mitigation body to co-handle the day-long religious procession, Palace said.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Saturday that the Manila city government has allowed even its local disaster risk reduction council to “handle the arrangements for the event.”

In the Black Nazarene feast in Quiapo district, Manila, where more than 10 million devotees are expected to attend, the Manila police is in charge of ensuring public safety and enforcing security measures.

Valte said, in an interview over the state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, the police are now coordinating with the local government of Manila in preparation for the January 9 feast day.

Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercity Estrada recently issued an order declaring the suspension of classes in all levels in the city on Thursday.

Speaking in behalf of the Malacanang, Valte assured the public that security measures on the feast day will be “sufficient.”

“As in all years, we will fully support measures to ensure the security of devotees for the January 9 Feast of the Black Nazarene,” she said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Since Wednesday, thousands of devotees started to flock to Quiapo to celebrate January’s first Friday mass as part of the novena for the feast.

The annual procession culminates with the “traslacion,” Spanish for passage, where the image of the Black Nazarene is returned to its home at the Quiapo Church Minor Basilica after a day-long procession.