Nearly 160 truckloads of trash collected after Traslacion 2024 – Manila LGU

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) — At least 158 truckloads of garbage were collected at the resumption of the Feast of the Black Nazarene this year, the City of Manila’s Department of Public Services (DPS) said Wednesday.

This is significantly higher than the 88 truckloads reported in 2020, the last time the Traslacion or grand procession of the image of the Black Nazarene was done before the COVID-19 pandemic happened.

From 2021 to 2023, Traslacon was suspended and only other activities related to the feast were held such as the misa mayor and the hourly masses at the Quiapo Church.

“The total volume of garbage collected during the celebration of the Black Nazarene from January 6 to 10, 2024 has increased significantly as compared with the garbage collected from the past previous years,” the DPS said.

“A total of 158 truckloads and a volume of 486 metric tons was collected for the year 2024,” it added.

Here is a breakdown of the volume of garbage collected in previous years’ celebrations:

– 99 truckloads or 265 metric tons (2023)

– 43 truckloads or 130 metric tons (2022)

– 57 truckloads or 196 metric tons (2021)

– 88 truckloads or 94 metric tons (2020)

The Manila DPS said the high volume of trash can be attributed to the six million devotees who took part in the celebration.

The city government said that cleanup of the streets is still ongoing as of Wednesday afternoon.

The image of the Black Nazarene left the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park around 4:45 a.m. on Tuesday and reached the Quiapo Church after nearly 15 hours at 7:44 p.m., making it the shortest grand procession recorded in recent years.

Still a trash-lacion?

Non-governmental environmental group Ecowaste Coalition on Wednesday said a litter-free observance of the gigantic annual feast remains difficult to achieve.

“Napakailap pa rin yung pinapangarap na luntiang Traslacion,” Ochie Tolentino of EcoWaste Coalition said. “Gayunpaman, buo ang aming pag-asa na sasapit din ang Traslacion mula sa kasalukuyang makalat patungo sa maaliwalas na hinaharap sa pakikipag kapatiran ng mga deboto at iba pa.”

[Translation: The dream of green Traslacion is still very elusive. However, we have full hope that the Traslacion from the current clutter to the serene future will also come with the brotherhood of devotees and others.]

While the faith of Black Nazarene devotees is truly astounding, Tolentino said their actions regarding their trash shows a lack of respect to fellow Filipinos and to the environment.

The group said among the trash found were single-use plastic bags, bottles, cups, cutlery and plates, including non-biodegradable polystyrene food containers, fast-food paper packaging, leftovers, soiled diapers, improvised sleeping materials, cigarette butts and disposable vapes.

It also cited that many of the waste collectors were disorganized and sold plastic water bottles to junk shops.