The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reminded Black Nazarene devotees Saturday to follow basic safety protocols such as wearing face mask and face shield in public areas and observing physical distancing throughout the event to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
PRC annually assists in the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene by providing first aid and emergency medical care to individuals suffering from injuries brought by accidents that occur during the event.
This year, even with the COVID-10 pandemic, PRC continued to be part of the Quiapo feast.
The Feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated by millions of Catholics from all over the country through the celebration of Mass and partaking in the procession known as the “Traslacion.”
Even before the pandemic, PRC has been providing humanitarian service to ensure the safety of the people. “The current pandemic will not stop PRC from providing basic health care services in times of emergencies,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard Gordon said.
PRC had earlier encouraged the public, especially the immunocompromised, to attend online Masses instead. “We have seen the rise in the number of the Nazarene devotees participating in the annual feast, with record-breaking numbers of people joining the Traslacion reaching millions seen each year,” PRC said.
Due to COVID-19, the Feast of the Black Nazarene organizing committee announced major changes in this year’s celebration of the event.
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The annual Traslacion procession has been cancelled to avoid the possibility of the feast day turning into a COVID-19 super spreader event.
On the feast day, PRC said that the San Sebastian Church and Quiapo Church, together with the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church in Sta. Cruz, Manila, will celebrate hourly masses from 12 a.m. to 11 p.m.
“Masses will be held in the three churches and will be broadcast live on selected prayer stations within the traditional procession route,” PRC said. “Devotees can also attend virtual Mass, as the Masses will also be aired via the Internet,” it added.
PRC reminded devotees attending the mass physically in the three churches that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) only allows 30 percent seating capacity. “Designated Mass areas will also be available for those who would not be accommodated inside the church,” it added.
Just like in the previous years, PRC assured that it provides first aid stations, emergency vehicles, including ten ambulance units, fire trucks, and other rescue vehicles to cater to the needs of devotees.
“All these PRC assets will operate through the deployment of 100 volunteers and staff, who will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) as they assist the devotees throughout the event,” PRC said.
PRC added that its men and women will be stationed in selected key areas of the churches. “On top of that, 100 more volunteers and emergency vehicles will be on standby in case the demand for personnel is required,” it added.