Palace: January 9 a holiday in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has declared Jan. 9 a special non-working day in Manila to allow its residents to join the traslacion of the Black Nazarene.

The holiday declaration is contained in Proclamation No. 434 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by the authority of Marcos yesterday.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Manila be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,” the proclamation read.

The Black Nazarene is an image depicting a dark-skinned Jesus carrying a cross. It depicts the sufferings endured by Jesus before He was crucified in Calvary.

According to the website of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, the traslacion commemorates the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from Recollect Church in Intramuros to its present shrine in Quiapo. The transfer was done over 400 years ago and the Church commemorates it annually every Jan. 9, the website said.

“Famous for its spectacular view of millions of people gathering in one religious event, the traslacion of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno is considered one of the biggest Filipino fiestas known in the whole world,” it added.

Code white alert

Meanwhile, the Department of Health announced yesterday that it will place all DOH-run hospitals in the National Capital Region on code white alert starting today in preparation for the traslacion. The alert will be in effect until Jan. 11.

A code white alert is declared during national events, holidays or celebrations that can potentially cause mass casualty incidents or emergencies.

“As part of the preparedness strategy, eight health emergency response teams, each equipped with ambulances, will be strategically deployed along the traslacion route to provide advanced emergency medical services to the thousands of devotees expected to participate in the event,” the DOH said in a statement.

The teams will be stationed at key locations, including the Quirino Grandstand, San Sebastian Church with Reachout and Quinta Market as well as near Ayala Boulevard’s intersections with Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue and San Marcelino street.

There will also be teams near Villarica and Paterno streets’ intersections with Quezon Boulevard.

Mask up

The DOH also strongly urged devotees participating in the traslacion to wear face masks or “consider participating from home as this celebration leads to crowding, which has a greater health risk.”

The DOH said participants should also refrain from touching and kissing religious images due to the risk of transmission of communicable diseases.

“Those joining the traslacion should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration; and avoid prolonged exposure to heat to prevent the risk of heat stroke,” the DOH added.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan supported the DOH’s call to wear face masks. She also said devotees should bring alcohol and observe proper social distancing during the traslacion and the masses held at Quiapo Church.

Officials of Quiapo Church said the image would be sanitized regularly for the “pahalik” or kissing of the image’s feet, but urged devotees to wipe the image with handkerchiefs or pieces of cloth instead.

The 400-year-old image would be in a glass case during the procession. Unlike in previous processions, devotees would no longer be allowed to climb up the carriage, church rector Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr. said.

No work, no pay

Employees of Manila-based firms who opt not to report for work on Jan. 9 are not getting any pay, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) said in an advisory yesterday.

The “no work, no pay” policy shall apply on Jan. 9 unless there is another company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement granting payment on special days, the NWPC said.

Workers who will render services during the special non-working holiday are entitled to receive an additional 30 percent on top of their regular daily pay, according to the NWPC.

Those who will work beyond eight hours shall be paid an additional 30 percent of their hourly rate.

Employees who will be required to work on their scheduled rest day shall receive an additional 50 percent of their daily rate on the first eight hours of work.

Services beyond eight hours during a special non-working day that also falls on the workers’ rest day shall be paid an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate. –  Rhodina Villanueva, Mayen Jaymalin, Evelyn Macairan