Expect major adjustments in the security plan for the annual procession of the Black Nazarene or Traslacion on January 9 as at least 2,020 cops will be deployed in front and both sides of the carriage to prevent devotees from blocking the route, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) bared Friday.
Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas, NCRPO chief, said at least 10,000 policemen will be fielded to secure millions of devotees who are expected to participate in the religious event of the Catholic faithful.
One-fifth of the deployment will be stationed around the carriage, which will prevent the devotees from climbing the life-size image of the Black Nazarene. This will leave only the back portion of the carriage open for the devotees to climb and touch the image.
Aside from that, this year’s route will also veer away from passing the historic Jones Bridge, which is currently undergoing retrofitting. Instead, the Black Nazarene will pass through Ayala Bridge.
“Nag-advise na ang DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] na bawal na, baka mamaya magbagsak ‘yan at marami pang maaksidente. Dadaan na sa Ayala Bridge,” Sinas said.
The new route has 14 segments and is 6.16-kilometers long.
It has more segments but shorter route compared to the 10 segments and 6.19-km long pathway last year.
This year’s procession is expected to start at 4:30 a.m. on January 9.
As for the “Pahalik” or the traditional kissing of the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Tuesday (January 7) and Wednesday (January 8), Sinas said that they will follow the same security procedures implemented last year.
On Tuesday, the Pahalik lane will start at South Drive and end at the Katigbak Drive. But on Wednesday, it will start at South Drive and end at South Drive.
Sinas said at least 23 “critical points” were identified from Padre Faura corner Roxas Boulevard to Round Table as he advised the public to expect strict security measures in the areas.
At around 12 a.m. on Tuesday, the following areas will be closed to traffic in preparation of the Traslacion: stretch of Katigbak Drive, Independence Road, and South Drive.
Meanwhile from 9 p.m. Wednesday onwards, the following areas will also be closed to traffic: Katigbak Drive and South Drive (one lane accessible to Manila Hotel and H20 Hotel); Roxas Boulevard from Katigbak Drive to TM Kalaw Street; Taft Avenue from Ayala to Quezon, McArthur and Jones Bridges; and both lanes of Quezon Boulevard (from A Mendoza/Fugoso Street to Quezon Bridge). (Martin Sadongdong)
