MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Manila yesterday ordered the removal of all vehicles, including those owned by the government and media organizations, and vendors’ carts along the route of the Traslacion procession.
“We call on the public to clear the routes of the Black Nazarene procession of all types of obstruction, not only vendors but all vehicles,” Mayor Isko Moreno said.
Except for two outside broadcasting vans of a television network parked across the street from Quiapo Church, Quezon Boulevard was clear as of yesterday afternoon.
Moreno also reminded residents that drinking liquor is banned in public places during the procession, which will be held on Jan. 9, and a curfew on minors had been imposed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Meanwhile, the traditional “pahalik” or kissing or wiping of the foot of the Black Nazarene started at around 6 p.m. on Monday when the image was brought to the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.
Hundreds of devotees were already lined up by Monday afternoon.
At least 4,000 devotees touched the image of the Black Nazarene as of 2:30 p.m. yesterday.