All systems go for Traslacion 2024 — Manila CDRRMO

It’s all systems go for the staging of the 2024 Traslacion of the Black Nazarene on Tuesday, the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and  Management Office (CDRRMO) said Monday.

“Tayo po ay nakapag-simultaneous exercise na po nitong nakaraang araw sa inilatag na paghahanda para sa Traslacion bukas,” said MDRRMO Director Ariel Eustacio Angeles said in an interview over GTV’s BaliTanghali.

[We’ve conducted a simultaneous exercise for our preparations for the Traslacion scheduled for tomorrow.]

The Manila CDRRMO  is expecting the crowd of devotees that would participate in the grand procession to “triple” this year, citing the suspension of the Traslacion since 2020.

“Inaasahan natin ang pagdagsa bukas ng mga deboto. Baka triple po ang pupunta sapagkat matagal na ‘di nila nasilayan ang Mahal ng Poong Nazareno. Ngayon lang po ang pagkakataon sa talong taon at malamang ito po ay isang napakalaki at napakaraming tao ang pupunta,” Angeles said.

[We’re expecting a lot of devotees tomorrow. The number may triple as this is the first time they would see the Black Nazarene in three years. We’re expecting a huge crowd turnout.]

One of the activities in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, Traslacion is a lengthy procession that carries the statue of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand back to Quiapo Church. It was not held in the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure public safety, the local government of Manila deployed personnel from its 14 police stations in the route of the procession.

A field hospital was likewise put up at the Bonifacio Shrine in Ermita to provide medical assistance to the devotees.

“Ang paalala po natin lagi ay iwasan magdala ng mga bagay na bawal...Magdala lagi ng tubig upang kung sakali man po, ma-rehydrate kaagad kung sakali man tumindi ang araw…‘Di natin alam ang magiging kalagayan ng panahon bukas. Mas mabuti na po magdala tayo ng tubig na maiinom pero yung bottled water lang ang dadalhin natin, ‘wag tayo magdadala ng ibang sisidlan,” Angeles added.

[We would like to remind the public to refrain from bringing the things we initially listed as prohibited items. We’re also reminding them to bring water but bring bottled water only, don’t bring other tumblers.]

The Manila City government earlier issued reminders for the safe, and orderly celebration of the Nazareno 2024.

‘Pahalik’ smooth, fast

Meanwhile, one of the officials for the Nazareno 2024 said they observed the traditional “Pahalik” or the kissing of the Black Nazarene as “faster and orderly”.

“Marami pong mga pumipila sa atin pong pagpupugay na natutuwa dahil mas maayos ngayon, mas mabilis ang proseso ng pagpila dito,” said Nazareno 2024 Technical Advispr Alex Irasga.

[A lot of devotees observed that this year’s Pahalik was faster.]

“Pinagpapasalamat natin ito sa ating mga Hijos del Nazareno na nangangasiwa rito, lalo sa grupong Ampon, ’yan pong taga-MMDA [Metropolitan Manila Development Authority], taga-city hall, at MPD [Manila Police District], ‘yan po nagtutulong-tulong para maging maayos ang lahat ng ito,” Irasga said.

[We’re thankful for the Hijos del Nazareno for supervising this. The MMDA, Manila City Hall, and MPD are working together for the smooth conduct of the tradition.]

Over the weekend, the MPD said at least 10,000 devotees flocked to the Quirino Grandstand for the “Pahalik”. 

Signal jamming

Earlier in the day, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said signals will be jammed in some Manila areas as part of the security measures for the conduct of the Traslacion on Tuesday.

“Yes, ija-jam po tomorrow, (Yes the signal will be jammed),” Abalos said in an ambush interview during his inspection at Quiapo Church.

“So expect po, sabihan ninyo na iyong mga kamag-anak ninyo na kung hindi kayo ma-reach huwag na munang mag-panic dahil every year ginagawa po iyon,” he added.

(So expect and tell your families and relatives not to panic right away when they cannot reach you because every year it is being done.)

MMDA reminders

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has issued reminders for the devotees who will join the procession on Tuesday. 

An MMDA tent with medical equipment was set up at the Quirino Grandstand to give first aid to the participants. 

“Since January 4, nag-establish na kami rito ng first aid station. Nakapag-cater na tayo ng mga pasyente. Pero itong mga pasyente na ito more on medical case, ‘yung mga nagpapa-blood pressure lang, nahilo, nagkaroon ng chest pain,” said MMDA Road Emergency Group chief Edward Gonzales. 

[We set up this first aid station last January 4. We have catered to some patients but mostly those who require medical attention, such as those whose blood pressure shot up, got dizzy, and those who experienced chest pain.)

Gonzales reminded the public, especially senior citizens who will attend the Traslacion to drink their prescription medicine, eat before going to the procession, and bring water. 

They are also allowed to only bring one attendant.

As for those who will take their children to see the procession, the MMDA said: “Kung pwede magdala ng ID na nakasabit dun sa bata, para just in case na mawala, eh madaling malaman sino ang mga magulang”.

(They should provide an ID for their children so it would be easy to locate them should they get lost.)

— RSJ, GMA Integrated News