Traslacion takes different route this year

MANILA, Philippines — The route of this year’s Traslacion of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica in Quiapo would be slightly different, Quiapo Church representatives said, as the bridges usually used in the procession are all under construction.

Monsignor Hernando Coronel said this year’s procession would traverse Ayala Bridge instead of Jones Bridge, as recommended by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Past processions  used Quezon, MacArthur and Jones bridges.

The organizers said the Traslacion’s route would be as follows: Quirino Grandstand, Katigbak Road, Finance Road through Ayala Boulevard, Ayala Bridge, Palanca Street, Quezon Boulevard, Arlegui Street, Fraternal Street, Vergara Street, Duque de Alba Street, Castillejos Street, Farnecio Street, Arlegui Street, Nepomuceno Street, Concepcion Aguila Street, Carcer Street, Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen, Bilibid Viejo through Gil Puyat, J.P. de Guzman Street, Hidalgo Street, Arlegui Street, Quezon Boulevard, Palanca Street and finally Villalobos through Plaza Miranda.

Earlier, a ranking police official told The STAR that the rope attached to the “andas” will not be used “to avoid the devotees from crowding the statue and they will not be allowed to ascend the carriage,” but church representatives denied this.

Last Tuesday, thousands of devotees joined the traditional thanksgiving procession, which marked the start of the nine-day novena to the Black Nazarene.

At least 10,000 policemen were joined by personnel from the Joint Task Force in the National Capital Region, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard and Task Force Quiapo in maintaining security during the procession.

Last year, about 1.3 million devotees joined the 21-hour-long procession. The Manila Police District has started clearing the areas along the route of the procession even as it warned against drinking in public and obstruction.

Security threat

A source said authorities still anticipate threats this year.

“We have intelligence people joining the procession and we have jammer devices that will disrupt signal if there is any attempt to use an improvised explosive device,” the police official said.

He said the discussion between the stakeholders focused on security preparations and the procession route.

Waste and pollution watch group EcoWaste Coalition, meanwhile, urged devotees to shun plastic disposables for a cleaner celebration.

The EcoWaste Coalition underlined the importance of cutting the consumption and disposal of single-use plastics in light of the efforts of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to clean up the capital city.

“Pervasive littering has tainted each and every re-enactment of the Traslacion from Luneta to Quiapo as if leaving rubbish on the ground is an ethical and legal thing to do,” said Jove Benosa, Zero Waste campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.

“Littering goes against the church teaching calling on the faithful to care for creation, including marine life that is seriously threatened by plastic pollution,” he said.             

Manila City Ordinance 7866, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Regulation No. 96-009 as amended by Regulation No. 99-006 and Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, explicitly prohibit and penalize littering, Benosa added.

Republic Act 9003, in particular, punishes violators upon conviction with a fine of P300 to P1,000 and community service of one to 15 days, or both.

Last year’s “pahalik” and procession of the revered image of the Black Nazarene yielded 47 truckloads of trash equivalent to 160 tons, according to the MMDA.

Among the items discarded along the six-kilometer processional route were single-use plastic bags, bottles, cups and plates, as well as polystyrene food containers, cigarette butts and bamboo skewers.              

To reduce the volume of rubbish thrown on streets and sidewalks in next week’s Traslacion, the EcoWaste Coalition appealed to all Black Nazarene devotees, vendors and fiesta organizers and volunteers to avoid consuming products in single-use plastics and dispose of trash properly.

To vendors, the group said they should refrain from selling snacks and drinks in plastic disposables and be responsible for their discards.

The group said fiesta organizers should not use plastic bags or plastic labo and banderitas or street garlands.              

Benosa also advised the public to prevent and reduce all forms of fiesta waste and never leave rubbish on the road, sidewalk, street corner, park or plant box. – With Rhodina Villanueva