Estrada suspends classes, local gov’t work in Manila on January 9 due to Feast of Black Nazarene

Barefoot devotees clamber over one another to touch the Black Nazarene (C) during the ebony-hued wooden statue’s slow procession from Manila’s main park to a historic church in Manila on January 9, 2014. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Anticipating the influx of thousands of devotees to the yearly Traslacion of the Black Nazarene on January 9, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada suspended classes in the city and work in local government offices.

According to Executive Order No. 1 Series of 2015 posted on his official Facebook account, Estrada said the suspension was necessary “to ensure public order safety and convenience and to reduce traffic congestion during the occasion.”

The suspension of work in city government offices does not cover those involved in the following tasks: peace and order, traffic enforcement, disaster and risk reduction management, health and sanitation, issuance of business permits and collection of taxes.

Suspension of work in the private sector was left to the discretion of employers. Also, the decision of suspending work in national government offices based in Manila was given to the heads of the various agencies.

Estrada urged employers and the heads of national agencies to exercise “prudence and sound discretion” by considering the safety of their employees in implementing a work suspension.

The Traslacion commemorates the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from Bagumbayan (now part of Luneta) to the church in Quiapo.

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