AMID the lingering threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and other respiratory illnesses, officials of the Quiapo Church and Manila yesterday strongly urged devotees of the Black Nazarene joining the Traslacion on January 9 and other related activities to wear face masks at all times.
In a press conference, Quiapo Church Parish Priest Fr. Jun Sescon said: “Let us use face masks. Everyone attending the Masses inside and outside the church is encouraged to do so. We will be providing face masks to those without masks. This is part of our safety measures so that we can avoid a surge in cases.”
The call was seconded by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, who noted the rise in COVID-19 cases. She said it won’t hurt anyone if they continue to practice the health protocols that were introduced during the pandemic.
“COVID-19 cases are increasing although controlled. So, to avoid any surges, we hope that you will cooperate with us. We will make sure that they would enter with face masks,” she said.
“There is no mask mandate so we cannot force the people. But it is not just for your health but for everybody joining the feast of the Black Nazarene,” Lacuna said.
On January 9, the grand procession of the Black Nazarene is set to return after a three-year absence with the iconic image set to travel anew from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church.
Nazareno 2024 Adviser Alex Irasga said health protocols would be implemented in other activities during the feast, including the procession and the comebacking “pahalik” set to be held at the Quirino Grandstand.
“Let us wear our face masks and bring hand sanitizers and practice social distancing so we can avoid transmission,” said Irasga.
“When we reach the Poong Nazareno, let us just use our handkerchiefs to wipe the image, but don’t kiss it anymore. So it is not a ‘pahalik’ anymore,” he added.
Aside from protecting the devotees from possible virus transmission, Quiapo Church officials are also looking to protect the centuries-old image of the black Christ.
Organizers said the Black Nazarene will now be enclosed in a laminated tempered glass case and devotees banned from climbing the carriage carrying it.
“No one will be allowed to climb the carriage. Those who will climb will be brought down by the Hijos del Nazareno,” he added.
It has been the practice of some devotees to climb the carriage to touch the image of the Black Nazarene.
Sescon said they have employed additional Hijos to better safeguard the andas and the image.
“We have Hijos right below and around the carriage. They will serve as our first line of defense. The 20 Hijos on the carriage will be the second line of defense,” he said.
“No good devotee will attempt to sabotage the activity. Those who will do that are probably outsiders or adventurists,” Sescon said.
“A true devotee won’t hang on the carriage. To them, it is enough to wipe their handkerchief, and touch the rope. They are already happy with that,” added Sescon.
NON-WORKING DAY
President Marcos Jr. has declared January 9, Tuesday, as a special non-working day in Manila to give way to the observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Manila be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,” read Proclamation No. 434 which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin yesterday.
The Manila City government has urged those participating in the celebration, particularly the Traslacion, to wear face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus disease while over 5,000 police had initially been deployed in the procession route.
Marcos told Filipinos to plan their vacations well in 2024 and take advantage of the holidays and long weekends this year.
“Let’s make the most of the long weekends this 2024 with our family and loved ones! Let’s also prepare our transactions and vacations carefully for a productive and prosperous year,” he said on his official Facebook account.
Long weekends this year are from March 28 to 31 which marks the observance of Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday; August 24 to 26 or from Saturday leading to the National Heroes’ Day on Monday; November 1 to 3 or from Friday to Sunday in observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The last long weekend from 2024 is from December 28 to 31 or the last Saturday to Tuesday leading to the New Year. January 1, 2025, or the first day of the year is a regular holiday in the country.
The other holidays for 2024 are February 10 (Saturday), Chinese New Year; April 9 (Tuesday) Araw ng Kagitingan; May 1 (Wednesday) Labor Day; June 12 (Wednesday) Independence Day; August 21 (Wednesday) Ninoy Aquino Day; December 8 (Sunday) Immaculate Conception Day; December 24 (Tuesday) Christmas eve; and December 25 (Wednesday) Christmas Day.
The country also observes two Muslim holidays, Eid’l al Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid’l al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) which are movable dates and based on the sighting of the moon.
NO WORK, NO PAY
The “no work, no pay” policy shall be in effect for workers in Manila when the nation’s capital celebrates the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9.
In a social media post, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) said the “no work, no pay” policy will be in effect on January 9, which has been declared a special non-working day in Manila by Malacañang.
“During a special non-working day, the ‘no work, no pay’ principle shall apply on the said day unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special non-working day,” said the NWPC.
TRASLACION ROUTE
Drivers and owners of more than 50 vehicles were fined in operations conducted by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) along the routes where the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene will be held on January 9.
Aside from the 58 vehicles, MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said another 22 were towed for illegal parking.
Motorists issued with traffic citation tickets for illegal parking will pay a fine of P1,000 while the owners of the unattended illegally parked vehicles will have to shell out P2,000.
“The clearing operation was spearheaded by the MMDA Special Operations Group-Strike Force and the MTPB to ensure no obstructions will hamper the annual procession of the Black Nazarene on January 9, which is expected to draw millions of participants,” Artes said.
“Clearing operations are part of the government’s preparations so that routes are passable and obstruction-free for the safety and security of the devotees that would participate in the procession,” Artes added.
Artes said the agency will provide traffic and emergency assistance before, during, and after the activities for the feast of the Black Nazarene, including the “Pahalik” or kissing of the image at the Quirino Grandstand which starts on January 6.
“A total of 850 personnel will be deployed to assist in traffic management, public safety, maintenance of peace and order, emergency response operations, and clearing operations,” said Artes.
The following MMDA offices will participate with their corresponding taskings, according to Artes:
1. MMDA Traffic Discipline Office shall be in charge of the traffic management on the designated routes, and alternate routes.
2. MMDA Road Safety Unit/ Traffic Engineering Center shall be in charge of the installation and placement of fences and plastic barriers at the Luneta Parade Ground for the “Pahalik” and along the route of the procession and management of the signalized intersections.
3. MMDA Metro Parkways Clearing Group shall be in charge of the cleanliness and tidiness of the vicinity of Quirino Grandstand and the roads along the procession route; as well as the installation of see-through fences and the provision of portalets at the Quirino Grandstand.
The MMDA will also deploy ambulances, road emergency vehicles, traffic mobile cars, and necessary equipment for the duration of the religious festivity.
Monitoring and communication equipment will also be set up in command centers.
Artes also advised motorists and the commuting public to take note of roads that will be closed temporarily for the procession which will start at the Quirino Grandstand and end at Quiapo Church.
The procession starts at the Quirino Grandstand, turn right to Katigbak Drive (left side), right to Padre Burgos St. through Finance Road, goes straight to Ayala Bridge, left to Palanca St., right to Quezon Boulevard, right to Arlegui Street, right to Fraternal Street, right to Vergara Street, left to Duque de Alba Street, left to Castillejos Street, left to Farnecio Street, right to Arlegui Street, left to Nepomuceno Street, left to Concepcion Aguila Street, right to Carcer Street, right to Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen, left to Bilibid Viejo through Gonzalo Puyat, left to J.P. de Guzman Street, right to Hidalgo Street, left to Quezon Boulevard, right to Palanca St. through under Quezon Bridge, right to Villalobos through Plaza Miranda going to Quiapo Church. — With Jocelyn Montemayor, Gerard Naval, and Ashzel Hachero
