The annual Feast of the Black Nazarene procession may be cancelled, however devotees are still expected to visit the Quiapo Church. Called the “Traslacion,” the feast is the annual commemoration of the solemn transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from the Recolletos Church in Intramuros, Manila, to the Quiapo Church in 1787. Because of the pandemic, the scheduled the grand procession on January 9 as well as the traditional “Pahalik” at the Quirino Grandstand have been cancelled.
Instead, the annual celebration will be ushered in by novena Masses until Jan. 9, 2021. Only 400 persons per mass will be accommodated inside Quiapo Church on the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Those who will not be able to make it inside the church can view the mass via LED screens placed along Quezon Boulevard, Carriedo, Carlos Palanca, Plaza Miranda, Plaza San Juan, among others. Devotees are expected to visit the Quiapo Church in observance of this.
As part of its preparation, the City of Manila will be closing several roads in Manila to traffic beginning Friday night, Jan. 8, 2021. The city has planned road closures, alternate routes, and parking areas for Traslacion 2021 to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
Starting January 8, 2021, at 10:00 p.m. onwards, the following roads will already be closed to vehicular traffic:
Southbound lane of Quezon Blvd. (Quiapo), from A. Mendoza/Fugoso to Carlos Palanca St.
Northbound Lane of Quezon Blvd. from Carlos Palanca St. to Fugoso St.
Westbound lane of España Boulevard from P. Campa to A Mendoza St.
Stretch of Evangelista St. from P Paterno St. to Recto Ave.
Stretch of Palanca St. from Carriedo/Plaza Lacson to P. Casal St.
The following areas have been designated as parking areas for devotees: Isetann Recto pay parking, pay parking area beside Dating Daan Building, Quinta Public Market pay parking, and one eastbound lane of Carlos Palanca Street from Palanca Bridge.
On January 9, more roads near Quiapo Church will be closed: Ronquillo St. from Rizal Ave. to Plaza Sta. Cruz and Bustos St. from Plaza Sta Cruz to Rizal Ave.
To avoid the potential heavy traffic brought about by these road closures, the City of Manila has suggested alternate routes on its social media page.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will deploy more than 20,000 policemen in Manila as part of the security measures for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Saturday. The task is to ensure peace and order and observance of the minimum health safety standard protocols amid the threat of the coronavirus.