The Feast of the Jesus Nazareno, also called “Traslacion,” will be celebrated nationwide instead of just in the City of Manila, with a series of activities commencing on January 9.
“Our feast this year is historic because for the first time, it is not just a feast of Quiapo or Manila, but of the churches in the entire Philippines. It’s what we call a liturgical feast,” Quiapo Church rector and bishop-elect Jun Sescon, Jr. said in Filipino.
“This was widely disseminated in a bishops’ meeting. So there is no need for coordination from Quiapo because in every diocese, in every parish, they will celebrate it,” he added.
On Friday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it will be deploying units to support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring security for the Feast of the Black Nazarene, along its route in Manila, where the event is traditionally held annually.
“The AFP will deploy contingents to help secure the procession of the Feast of the Black Nazarene as augmentation to other security forces,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said Friday.
He further mentioned that the military unit responsible for this, Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR), is collaborating closely with other law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and order, ensuring the safe participation of the faithful in the procession or “Traslacion.”
“Rest assured, we are taking all necessary measures to make the event as secure as possible,” Trinidad said.
However, the military official did not give exact numbers on the contingent that the AFP will deploy for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
“Conferences and coordination are ongoing with authorities and other stakeholders, so, no definite numbers and disposition can [not] be disclosed by the AFP as of this time,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is conducting continuous road-clearing operations to remove illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions along the Traslacion route in preparation for the Feast of Quiapo.
Various obstructions, including illegally parked vehicles and electric tricycles, have already been removed from the Traslacion route and some roads that are part of the Mabuhay Lanes.
The MMDA is collaborating with the Manila City government and the National Capital Region Police Office to clear the Black Nazarene route for the annual procession expected to attract millions of devotees on January 9.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said clearing operations are part of the government’s preparations to ensure all routes are passable and obstruction-free for the safety and security of the devotees participating in the procession.
He noted that the MMDA will deploy teams to assist with traffic management, ensure public safety, maintain peace and order, and respond to emergencies.
For its part, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reminded all operators and hobbyists of Drones or Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) that strict implementation of a “no-fly zone” will be implemented in areas where the procession or Traslacion of the Black Nazarene will pass.
CAAP also announced that it will no longer issue a Notice to Airmen (Nortam) regarding the no-fly and no-drone zones around Quirino Grandstand and Quiapo Church during this year’s Traslacion.
“These areas are part of RP-P1, a restricted airspace where both lateral and vertical flying are prohibited within a two-nautical-mile radius and up to 5,500 feet above Malacañang Palace,” the agency stated in its advisory.
As this developed, an environmental group appealed to Black Nazarene devotees to help keep the event litter-free.
“We appeal to all the devotees to manifest their gratitude, affection and trust to Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno by keeping the feast as respectful and clean as any faith-inspired act should be,” zero waste campaigner Ochie Tolentino said.
