Zero-waste advocates call for cleaner traslacion

"Cleanliness is next to godliness," as the saying goes.

Zero-waste advocacy group EcoWaste Coalition called on devotees of the Jesus Nazareno during the first day of the traditional Pahalik to help minimize trash and protect the environment during the annual religious event.

In a statement on Tuesday shared at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila, EcoWaste Coalition said they are reminding participants to avoid generating garbage and to keep the processional route litter-free amid the traslacion or procession on January 9, Thursday.

The group conducted a a mini-parade and clean-up in the vicinity of the Quiapo Church, and recited a "Panalangin ng Bayan" for the well-being of devotees and the planet Earth.

Some members held broomsticks, dust pans and plastic placards advocating or a clean, ecological celebration.

“As the Feast of the Black Nazarene will now be celebrated as a liturgical feast in dioceses nationwide, it is all the more important to celebrate it in way that corresponds with the bishops' call for ecological action,” the group said.

The coalition emphasized that eradicating plastic pollution was among the six key eco-actions identified during the 128th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on July 2024, and that single-use plastics were among the most common littered items in previous years of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.

"As our nation is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, we are challenged to integrate our duty to care for God's creation in all aspects of our lives, including in the celebration of our faith," said zero-waste advocate Ochie Tolentino.

"By taking simple steps such as avoiding single-use plastics, not littering, sorting our discards and putting them in designated receptacles, we honor not only our faith but also our responsibility to protect the environment," she added.

Earlier, EcoWaste also released a statement and guidelines for a litter-free celebration of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno in line with the “Zero-Waste Month” in January.

“We appeal to all the devotees to manifest their gratitude, affection and trust to Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno by keeping the feast as respectful and clean as any faith-inspired act should be,” said Tolentino.

“It is not okay to leave a trail of litter even if there will be people tasked to clean up after you,” she stressed.

“It’s therefore very important for the devotees and all other sectors, including the vendors, volunteers, and the politicos to manifest their concern for the environment by cutting down on single-use plastics and keeping trash to the minimum,” she added.

The group released the following reminders ahead of the procession:

1. Do not litter
2. Return beverage and food containers to vendors or donors after use
3. Do not throw bamboo sticks anywhere
4. Avoid smoking or vaping, and do not throw cigarette butts or vapes on the ground
5. Do not spit or urinate in public
6. Carry a reusable bag

Based on data provided by EcoWaste, over 158 truckloads or 468 metric tons of garbage was collected after the Feast of Jesus Nazareno in 2024. This was almost twice the amount of garbage collected from 2020 to 2023, which ranged from 43 to 99 truckloads. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News