Devotees hold early Visita Iglesia at Manaoag shrine, cops brace for 1M visitors

Holy Week is still two weeks away, but several devotees are already flocking to a newly proclaimed shrine in Pangasinan for their early "Visita Iglesia" and Lenten reflection.

 

Many of the devotees came from as far Rizal and Quezon provinces in southern Luzon, GMA Dagupan's Jeesson Alamar reported on "Primera Balita."

 

These devotees were among the first to hold their early Visita Iglesia to the Manaoag Church, which was elevated to the status of a minor basilica by Pope Francis.

 

Even before it became a minor basilica, Manaoag Church had been a popular Visita Iglesia destination.

 

Many of the early visitors said they wanted to avoid the crowding that usually occurs during Holy Week itself.

 

"Siyempre pinagninilayan natin ang paghihirap ng ating Panginoong Hesus, ang pagliligtas niya sa atin, at inaantay natin ang kanyang pagkabuhay muli," said Marietta Paltao, who visited the shrine with fellow devotees from Rizal province.

 

Another group from Quezon province had been visiting the basilica for 30 years, not minding the long trip that can take as much as 12 hours.

 

"Every time dumating ang Kwaresma, nag-schedule na kami roon, so ito ang first station namin, Manaoag," said Santiago Evangelista.

 

One million devotees

 

Manaoag police are preparing for as many as one million devotees to go to the shrine this Lenten season.

 

"'Yung pulis natin, regular din, meron diyan naka-deploy, bike patrol at may police assistance," said Inspector Rowel Albano, operations officer of the Manaoag police.

 

He added they will also tap volunteers to help in security and traffic management. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News