Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) — Authorities have announced that several roads will be closed and traffic will be diverted starting Jan. 8 as the City of Manila sees crowds still flocking to the Quiapo area despite the cancellation of this year’s Traslacion.
Other safety protocols include the deployment of around 6,000 police personnel and setting up 29 control points outside Quiapo Church to ensure compliance with minimum health standards. Police also said it will do temperature checks and keep an eye on the volume of people in the area.
READ: Manila cancels Traslacion 2021 due to COVID-19
Meanwhile, Manila Police District Director BGen. Leo Francisco appealed to the public to just express their faith through other means at home in order to avoid overcrowding and viral transmission.
While no procession will take place this year, authorities are preparing for the expected influx of devotees.
People below 15 years old and above 65 years old will not be allowed to attend masses in church, and devotees are advised they cannot carry backpacks.
In an interview with CNN Philippines last week, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said while they expect the situation to be orderly inside the Quiapo Church, the challenge comes with groups outside the Basilica.
On Wednesday, the Manila Public Information Office said face masks will be given to devotees. Moreno also said face masks and face shields will be provided to those inside the church.
In a briefing on Wednesday, Quiapo Church officials said they hope devotees would still celebrate the feast even if they can’t go to church.
The Manila Police District announced that the following road closures, rerouting and parking measures will be in place:
JANUARY 8 (10 a.m. onwards)
Protocols will limit on-site attendance to 400 devotees per mass on the day of the Trraslacion or the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Road Closures
– Southbound lane of Quezon Blvd. (Quiapo), from A. Mendoza/Fugoso to Carlos Palanca St.
– Northbound lane of Quezon Blvd from Carlos Palanca St. to Fugoso St.
– Westbound lane of España Boulevard from P. Campa to A. Mendoza St.
– Stretch of Evangelista St. from P. Paterno St. to Recto Ave.
– Stretch of Palanca St. from Carriedo/Plaza Lacson to P. Casal St.
Re-routing of vehicles
1. Vehicles going to southbound lane of Quezon Blvd from A. Mendoza: turn right to Fugoso St. then left to Rizal Avenue.
2. Vehicles going to southbound lane of España Blvd: turn left to Nicanor Reyes St., or turn right to P. Campa St., then left to A. Mendoza St., then right to Fugoso St.
3. Vehicles coming from McArthur Bridge intending to utilize Palanca St. shall go straight to Rizal Ave. to point of destination.
4. Vehicles coming from Ayala Bridge intending to utilize Palanca St. shall go straight to P. Casal St. to point of destination.
5. Vehicles coming from P. Burgos Ave. intending to utilize Quezon Bridge shall go straight to McArthur Bridge or Jones Bridge to point of destination.
Road closures and re-routing schemes.
JANUARY 9 (12 a.m. onwards)
CNN Philippines’ Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.
Road closures
– Stretch of Ronquillo St. from Rizal Ave. to Plaza Sta. Cruz
– Stretch of Bustos St. from Plaza Sta Cruz to Rizal Ave.
Re-routing of vehicles
1. Vehicles utilizing southbound lane of Rizal Ave. going to Ronquillo St. shall turn right to CM. Recto Ave., turn left to R. Regente St., to J. Luna St. turn left to Plaza Cervantes to Jones Bridge or go straight to Muelle dela Industria to Escolta to point of destination.
2. Vehicles coming from McArthur Bridge intending to utilize Bustos St. shall go straight to Rizal Ave. to point of destination.
Traslacion is traditionally celebrated every Jan. 9 in Manila by parading the venerated image of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. Filipino Catholics believe the Black Nazarene image can bring healing or lead to miracles. The procession draws millions of barefoot devotees, with last year’s crowd swelling to at least 3.3 million.
READ: Faith or fanaticism? Why the Black Nazarene procession continues to draw millions of devotees
