The Manila City government suspended classes in all levels for both public and private schools on Saturday (January 9) to allow devotees to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, who signed Executive Order No. 1 series of 2021 on Thursday (January 8) also suspended city government work on the said day.
"The suspension of classes will not only give the parents and students the time to participate in the religious activities that day but will also give them full access to the use of internet/gadgets and follow the activities at home and avoid crowding in churches," the order read.
Domagoso also ordered a ban on selling liquor and alcoholic beverages in Quiapo District on Saturday.
There will be 15 masses to be held on Saturday starting 4:30 a.m. at Quiapo Church, Sta. Cruz Church, and San Sebastian Church. These will be broadcasted live on Facebook.
Although the annual Traslacion parade was cancelled this year, devotees may still attend mass at the said churches physically.
Each church can only accept 400 per mass or 6,000 devotees for the whole day. When there are already 6,000 people lined up at the said churches, it will no longer accept any more devotees.
Those who will not be able to make it inside the churches can view the mass through up to 12 LED screens installed along Quezon Boulevard, Carriedo, Carlos Palanca, Plaza Miranda, Plaza San Juan, among others. Each area can hold up to 750 people.
Several government officials have appealed to the devotees to worship the Black Nazarene at home.
Thousands of police officers will be deployed around Quiapo to enforce minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks and face shields and physical distancing.