By Jel Santos
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday said it will deploy 850 of its personnel in Manila on the feast day of the Black Nazarene on January 9.
Devotees hold onto a rope connected to the carriage carrying the statue of the Black Nazarene during the annual Traslacion in Manila on January 9, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / Noel CELIS / MANILA BULLETIN)
MMDA Chairman Danilo “Danny” Lim said 850 personnel will be positioned at the vicinity of the Grandstand, Quiapo Church, and along the route of the “Andas" for the safety of millions of devotees expected to take part in the annual ‘Traslacion’.
Meanwhile, 350 personnel will be assigned at the Quirino Grandstand from January 6 to 8 for the procession of replicas and the traditional “Pahalik”.
The MMDA contingent, Lim said, will come from different units identified to help the local government unit of Manila in maintaining peace and order during the festivity.
The Western Traffic Enforcement Division shall be in charge of managing traffic in the designated route of the procession and alternative route for motorists while the Road Safety Unit was tasked to install traffic cones and barriers at Luneta and processional route.
The Sidewalk Clearing Group will also provide crowd control personnel during the “Pahalik.”
The Metro Parkway Clearing Group was tasked to manage road clearing of any form of obstruction particularly, garbage at the Luneta Parade Ground and roads along the 5.9-kilometer procession route.
“Street sweepers will immediately clear roads of all types of clutter,” he said.
Emergency and medical assistance shall be rendered by the Road Emergency Group and Public Safety Division while monitoring and communication will be handled by the MMDAS Metrobase.
“Emergency teams will be deployed at the Grandstand and along the route of the procession to assist those who would be injured.”
On the other hand, Ferryboats of the Pasig River Ferry Service will also be put on standby at Jones Bridge in Manila City.
Traffic mobile patrols, ambulances, road emergency vehicles, mobile surveillance and communication units, and other necessary equipment and vehicles will also be dispatched.
According to Lim, the route of the Grand Procession of the Black Nazarene will be from the Quirino Grandstand to Katigbak Drive thru P. Burgos, left Taft Ave. thru Jones Bridge, right to Dasmarinas St., right to Plaza Sta. Cruz St; left Carlos Palanca st. under Quezon Bridge, left Quezon Blvd., right Arlegui st., right Fraternal st., right Vergara st., left Duque de Alba st., left Castillejos st., left Farnecio st., right Arlegui st., left Nepomuceno st. (counterflow), left Aguila st., right Carcer st., right Hidalgo thru Plaza del Carmen, left Bilibid Viejo thru Puyat, left Guzman st., right Hidalgo st., left Baustista (Barbosa) st., right Globo de Oro thru under Quezon Bridge, right Palanca st., right Villalobos thru Plaza Miranda to Quiapo Church.