’Cracker, liquor ban for Feast of Black Nazarene

MANILA, Philippines - After attending to security operations during the holiday season, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is now focusing on the security of the Black Nazarene procession on Friday.

NCRPO chief Director Carmelo Valmoria banned yesterday the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics along the route of the procession, while Mayor Joseph Estrada ordered a liquor ban in Manila “to ensure a peaceful celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.”

According to Valmoria, intelligence agents would be fielded not only in the procession itself but also along its route to arrest those violating the ban.

Valmoria, officials of the Quiapo Church and heads of government agencies convened yesterday for the final coordinating conference regarding the security of the procession.

“We will be fine-tuning our security deployment to prevent the repeat of the 22-hour procession two years ago, which proved to be the longest in modern history,” Valmoria said, noting that the intelligence community has not monitored any possible threat to the event.

He refused to disclose the exact number of policemen to be deployed during the event but stressed, “We will be augmented by the military.”

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday said it would be deploying some 2,000 personnel to the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that the deployed personnel would be composed of teams from the agency’s Traffic Discipline Office, Rescue Group and the Metro Parkway Group.

For his part, Estrada told The STAR, “The entire police force, the traffic enforcers, the city hall personnel, and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council will be in full force during the feast of the Black Nazarene.”

Estrada said the city government would also mobilize six city government-owned hospitals, doctors, nurses and ambulances to secure and assist the devotees of the Black Nazarene.

The NCRPO was placed on full alert since Dec. 22, 2014 to secure the Christmas and New Year celebrations, and this alert status would remain until the visit of Pope Francis on Jan. 15 to 19.

Valmoria called on devotees not to bring children with them, as they might get lost in the large crowd expected to show up for the event.

As well, he urged those who would be participating to bring their own food and water as he expects vendors to make a killing come Friday. He asked devotees to dispose of their garbage properly. The NCRPO chief also warned devotees against pickpockets.

Manila city administrator Ericson Alcovendraz said that the city government would start barring the selling and drinking of liquor from midnight of Jan. 9 and the ban would only be lifted the following day.

Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio, rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church), believes that this liquor ban would be helpful in keeping the sacred tone of the event.

Estrada said the liquor ban would also be implemented in Manila during the papal visit.

Meanwhile, Ignacio said that a mass would be held on Friday midnight, unlike before when dawn masses were held from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., to allow devotees to be more focused.

With the hype about the papal visit raising the spiritual awareness of many Catholics in the country, an increase of 10 to 15 percent from last year’s estimated 12 million in the number of faithful participating in this year’s procession is expected, noted Fr. Ric Valencia, assistant parochial administrator of the Quiapo Church.

Rerouting

Rerouting of vehicles in Manila for this year’s procession of the Black Nazarene would start on Thursday night, with Katigbak Parkway and South Road near Roxas Blvd. closed to public starting 9 p.m.

In a statement, the Manila Police District (MPD) traffic division advised southbound vehicles to skip Bonifacio Drive and should instead take Anda Circle then turn right to A. Soriano Ave. to Magallanes Drive.

Once they reach Padre Burgos Ave., motorists should again turn right and go straight toward Lagusnilad to Taft Ave. to their point of destination.

Northbound motorists were also advised against traversing Roxas Blvd. and should instead turn right to Kalaw Avenue then left to Maria Orosa, and left again at the Intramuros gate. After reaching the gate, they should make a left turn to A. Soriano Ave. to their point of destination.

Those who would pass Taft Ave.’s northbound lane, meanwhile, were advised to turn right to Ayala Ave. to point of destination.

Jan. 9 routes

By Friday midnight, more rerouting schemes would be implemented and the three widely-used bridges – McArthur Bridge, Jones Bridge and Quezon Bridge – would be closed to traffic.

Both lanes of Quezon Blvd. in Quiapo would also be closed to traffic.

“Vehicles coming from Quezon City intending to use the stretch of España shall turn right to P. Campa, left to Andalucia, right to Fugoso, right to Recto to point of destination,” the police said.

Public jeepneys and light vehicles bound for South Pier coming from España should turn left to Nicanor Reyes, then right to Recto or left to Mendiola. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Evelyn Macairan, Aie Balagtas See, Rhodina Villanueva, Mike Frialde