The Manila Police District (MPD) on Wednesday, Jan. 4, expects an estimated five million devotees to participate in the “Walk of Faith” procession on the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 8.
“Kagaya po ng nakagawian, ini-expect pa rin po natin yung usual na five million na devotees ang magpa-participate dito (As in the past, we are still expecting that the usual five million devotees will participate),” MPD Director Pol. Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said in an interview with GMA News.
Around 5,000 personnel are set to be deployed to secure the activities during the feast, said Dizon.
There will also be a send-off ceremony of designated personnel on Thursday, Jan. 5.
The traditional "Traslacion" procession of the Black Nazarene remains suspended this year due to Covid-19.
“Nakahanda na po tayo... bagamat yun lang po ang nabago dito, yung imahe lang ng Black Nazarene lang ang nawala sa prusisyon, pinalitan po natin ito ng ‘Walk of Faith’ (We are ready... that's the only thing that has changed here, the image of the Black Nazarene will not be part of the procession. We have replaced it with the 'Walk of Faith’),” he added.
The “Walk of Faith,” which will be held after the 12 midnight mass on Jan. 8, will start at the Quirino Grandstand and will end in Quiapo Church.