OVER 500 NAZARENO DEVOTEES RECEIVE MEDICAL AID

MORE than 500 devotees who joined the procession of the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno were given medical aid, authorities said.

According to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), it responded to 223 patients.

A total of 267 patients suffered minor injuries like abrasion, puncture, burn, laceration, open wound, ingrown nail pain, detached nail, contusion, sprain, and sore throat.

Some experienced difficulty in breathing, chest pain, neck pain, hyperventilation, headache, elevated blood pressure, dizziness, avulsion, and hyperacidity.

Eight patients were transported to the PRC Emergency Field Hospital, two to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, two to Tondo Medical Center, two to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, and one to the Philippine Orthopedic Center.

Those transported to the medical facilities complained of nausea, chest pain, deviated nose, dislocated shoulder, nose bleed, pain on left ankle, difficulty in breathing, chills, and back pain .

Meanwhile, Quiapo Church spokesperson Fr. Robert Arellano Nazareno on Thursday said devotees of Jesus Nazareno are “much more behaved” this year as they followed rules during the start of the annual Traslacion.

“This is our prayer that every year we expect a change. When it comes to maturity of devotees, this is a good sign that we are growing in faith,” Fr, Arellano said.

This year’s Traslacion or the procession of the Nazareno image from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno along Quezon Boulevard, began at 4:41 a.m. on Thursday.

The prelate said when the “andas” or the carriage carrying the image of Jesus Nazareno started to move, devotees were “much more behaved, unlike during pre-pandemic, they were very aggressive, and shouting.”

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said the situation has been peaceful and no untoward incident has been reported.