The new andas or carriage that will carry the Black Nazarene during the Traslacion procession on Jan. 9 will have a tempered glass enclosure, a sound system, and a CCTV, the Quiapo Church said Thursday.
Black Nazarene Feast 2024 adviser Alex Irasga said the carriage combines features of the one used in the Peñafrancia procession as well as the “Popemobile” to protect the 400-year-old image of Jesus Christ from damage.
“It has a metal and glass enclosure like the Popemobile so no one can get close to it. It has lights for illumination at night, sound system, and a CCTV for security monitoring,” Irasga said.
He said the glass enclosure is made of thick tempered laminated glass.
“If it is broken, it will only shatter into small pieces like corn grains. It will also stay intact. They call it laminated, tempered glass,”
The traditional Traslacion is expected to draw in some two million expected participants.
The city government of Manila on Thursday encouraged devotees joining the Traslacion activities to wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Mayor Honey Lacuna said face masks would be distributed along Villalobos St. for those who would attend Masses from Jan. 8 to 9.
“Especially for our Hijos del Nazareno – our call for the villages, the devotees and those who would join the procession, they should wear masks,” the mayor said.
“We have seen a rise in COVID cases, although this is controlled. In Manila, it’s not that high, but if we want to avoid any surge and we want the Traslacion 2024 to push through, let’s cooperate,” Lacuna added.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said all DOH hospitals in Metro Manila will be placed on Code White Alert starting Jan. 6, 2024 in preparation for the Traslacion.
“As we celebrate this significant gathering for the annual feast of the Black Nazarene, our priority is the health and safety of all Filipinos,” Herbosa said.
The Philippine National Police said a “no-fly zone” policy will be implemented along the route of the procession.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said around 15,200 policemen will secure the key areas and the procession routes of the Black Nazarene in Manila.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority already started clearing operations along the route of the annual procession.
“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,” said MMDA Chairman Romando Artes.
The MMDA is also set to 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 Jan. 6.
