Nazarene celebration seen to attract over 10-M devotees

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Over 10 million devotees are expected to attend the pilgrimage procession of the Black Nazarene on January 9.

Fr. Ric Valencia Jr. of the Quiapo church (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene) said they expect a 15-20 percent increase turn out of devotees this year following the 9.6 million attendees last year.

Valencia said the pilgrimage procession or “Traslacion” will start at 7 a.m. from the Quirino Grandstand and it will cross the Jones Bridge instead of the McArthur bridge as done in previous years.

Monsignor Clemente Ignacio said the change of route was made to ensure the safety of devotees and people joining the procession.

He said the McArthur Bridge could no longer handle the bulk of devotees attending he procession.

“The procession will pass Jones Bridge, then turn right to Escolta going to FEATI (University) then to Villalobos,” Ignacio said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), he said, has already inspected the stability and safety of the Jones bridge.

Green celebration

An environmental group on Monday appealed to the public for a green celebration of  the feast.

“We request the faithful to heed the call for humility to ensure that the route of procession and Quiapo district itself will not again be shrouded in garbage,” said Tina Vergara of EcoWaste Coalition.

Vergara said the procession should be a fitting celebration of faith and unity to take care of the environment.

She added that who will perform their skip ritual vows should exercise humility and not defile the processional trail with garbage like what happened in previous years.

Peace and Order

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will deploy additional 2,500 personnel as an augmentation team for the Manila Police District to handle millions of people joining the procession.

PNP spokesperson Theodore Sindac said they would deploy more officers if needed.

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority is set to deploy more traffic enforcers to ensure the flow of traffic at main thoroughfares affected by the procession.

The city government of Manila has declared January 9 as a holiday.

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