Palace Hopes for Peaceful Traslacion

A day before this year’s Traslacion or the procession of the Black Nazarene, Malacañang on Wednesday called on millions of devotees to observe solemn and safe celebration of the annual religious event.

“Syempre, every year, ‘yun ang palaging pinagdadasal natin (Of course, every year, we always pray for the peaceful conduct of Traslacion),” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a media interview.

“Pinapakiusap na kailangan maging maingat sila (We are asking them to be careful),” he added, referring to the Black Nazarene devotees.

Millions of Black Nazarene devotees are expected to participate in the feast day and annual procession of the Black Nazarene on Thursday.

Last year, around three million devotees of the Black Nazarene were reported to have joined the procession.

Work and classes in the city of Manila on Thursday have been suspended to pave way for the religious event.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has released an updated route map for the procession this year. The route will begin at the Quirino Grandstand and end at the Quiapo Church in Manila.

The procession will also be 300 meters shorter than usual due to the rehabilitation of the Jones and MacArthur bridges.

Around 16,000 security personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, MMDA, Coast Guard, and volunteers will be joining forces to ensure safe and solemn procession of the Black Nazarene.

Telecommunications firms Smart and Globe have also announced that they will temporarily shut down their network services in parts of Metro Manila beginning 11 p.m. on Wednesday until 12 p.m. on Friday. (PNA)