Vendors banned in several areas during Traslacion —Manila gov't

A 'no vendor policy' will be strictly implemented during Traslacion on January 9, the annual procession of the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila, the city administrator said on Monday.

"Doon ho sa ating mga kababayan na manininda, mahigpit ho nating ipatutupad 'yung zero vendor policy, kaya sana ho 'wag na nilang balakin na magtulak ng kariton sa Quirino Grandstand at sa lahat po ng kalsadang dadaanan ng prusisyon upang sa gayon ay manatiling malinis, maayos, at mapayapa 'yung ating prusisyon," Manila City administrator Ericson Alcovendaz said in an interview on "Balitanghali."

The ban on vendors along the path of the Traslacion is expected to reduce the trash left on the roads by participants of the annual religious activity, he said.

Last year, over 95 truckloads of trash were collected by the local government a day after the Traslacion.

Barbecue sticks and other pointed materials thrown by irresponsible customers in the streets have also injured some devotees who went barefoot in the procession in the past years.

Alcovendaz said that the 'no vendor policy' shall take effect on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Violators will be apprehended, he warned.

Those who will participate in the vigil 'pahalik' and the procession were advised to bring their own food and drinks and were reminded not to litter.

The engineering department of the city government has also inspected the Traslacion route, repaired the hollow spaces on the roads, and closed the open manholes to avoid accidents.

"Alam niyo naman ho sa dami ng tao, kapag merong nahulog sa butas, nadapa, mahihirapan ho makatindig," Alcovendaz said.

Over two million devotees are expected to take part in Traslacion 2019 on Wednesday. —Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA News