ALL SET FOR TRASLACION 2024 – ORGANIZERS

ALL preparations are in place for Tuesday’s (January 9) Traslacion or grand procession of the Black Nazarene in Manila.

Quiapo Church rector Fr. Jun Sescon on Monday said with the cooperation of all sectors, volunteer groups, and people from the Church, he said they are all ready in terms of ensuring the security and the solemnity of  the Traslacion.

Among them are the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine Red Cross.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday conducted an ocular inspection at the Quiapo area to make sure security preparations and coordination between the uniformed personnel are in place.

The DILG chief was accompanied by PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., National Capital Region Police Office Director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., BFP chief Director Louie Puracan and BFP-NCR director Chief Supt. Nahum Tarroza in touring the church vicinity.

Abalos said the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the volunteers and force multipliers of Manila, have already been informed of their respective roles.

He said all are 100 percent prepared for the annual celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

A total of 15,000 uniformed personnel will be deployed in almost all paths of the traditional religious parade for the safety of the estimated 2.3 million devotees.

Eight medical stations with first aiders, firetrucks, and ambulances will also be positioned in strategic places in anticipation of any health emergencies.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they remain on alert to counter any security threats that may disrupt the religious observance.

Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula on Traslacion Day will lead the Fiesta Mass at the Quirino Grandstand.

The grand procession will begin early Tuesday morning, from Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo.

The procession will feature a new Andas (carriage). The image of the Black Nazarene will be enclosed in a tempered glass cage, still being pulled using a thick rope by devotees.

The public will no longer be allowed to climb the Andas to ensure the protection of the image, as well as the attendees.

Devotees are encouraged to wear face masks while attending church events at Quiapo Church and during the Traslacion.

The route of the procession will be the same as the route used in 2020.

Before the Traslacion, thousands of devotees joined the traditional “pahalik” on Saturday at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

The Quiapo Church said the “pahalik” started at 7 p.m. Saturday and it will last until January 10, the day after the Traslacion.