Barefoot Nazareno devotees allowed to board LRT1, LRT2 trains on Jan. 9

Barefoot devotees of Jesus Nazareno will be allowed to board LRT Line 1 and 2 trains on Thursday, January 9.

"Pinahihintulutang makasakay sa tren ang mga deboto ng Poong Nazareno na nakayapak sa araw ng Traslacion," LRMC said in an advisory Wednesday as it released guidelines for devotees ahead of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.

It also reminded devotees to wear comfortable clothes and bring small bags to ensure their safety and comfort during the procession.

LRMC said LRT1 platforms will be operating on its regular schedule starting 4:30 a.m. and with the final trains departing from Dr. Santos Station at 10:00 p.m. and from Fernando Poe Jr. Station at 10:15 p.m.

“Handa ang LRMC na siguraduhin ang ligtas na pagbiyahe ng mga pasahero ng LRT-1. May mga nakatalagang dagdag na security officers at health professionals sa mga istasyon ng LRT-1,” the advisory read.

The Quirino Grandstand, where the procession will start, is accessible through LRT-1 stations United Nations and Central, while the Quiapo Church is accessible through LRT-1 stations Carriedo, and Doroteo Jose.

In a separate advisory, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said barefoot devotees will also be allowed to board their trains on January 9.

“Para sa Kapistahan ng Poong Nazareno, ang mga debotong nakayapak ay pinapayagang sumakay sa LRT-2. Ngunit tandaan, ipapatupad pa rin po ang ‘No Inspection, No Entry’ policy,” the advisory read.

(For the Feast of Jesus Nazareno, barefoot devotees are allowed to ride the LRT-2. But remember, we will still implement the ‘No Inspection, No Entry’ policy.)

“Sa araw ng Kapistahan ng Poong Nazareno, nakikiisa ang Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) sa pasasalamat at paggunita ng Nazareno 2025,” they added.

(On the day of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno, the Light Rail Transit Authority joins the thanksgiving and celebration of Nazareno 2025.)

Earlier in the day, Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Technical Adviser Alex Israga said they expect the procession to be faster and smoother this year.

"Last year, umabot lang po 'yan ng more or less 15 hours. So tingin po namin magiging mas mabilis ngayon compared in the past dahil mas kakaunti 'yung makakasampa ng andas, hindi kagaya noong araw prior to pandemic mahigit isang daan ang nakakasampa diyan," he said.

(Last year, that only took more or less 15 hours. So we think it will be faster now compared in the past because fewer people can climb the carriage, unlike in the previous years prior to the pandemic when more than a hundred climb it.)

The procession will follow the “traditional route” from the Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica on Thursday.

The church also released a list of guidelines to follow ahead of the Feast to ensure a safe and orderly procession, with millions of devotees expected to participate. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL, GMA Integrated News