Mayor Honey bans liquor, suspends classes and gov't work on Black Nazarene feast
By Jaleen Ramos
Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan announced on Wednesday, Jan 4., the suspension of classes and work in government offices on Jan. 9, and the implementation of liquor ban in the City of Manila starting from Saturday, Jan. 7, to Monday, Jan. 9, in line with the celebration of this year’s Feast of the Black Nazarene.
In Executive Order (EO) No. 1 released Wednesday, Lacuna said all classes in both public and private schools, whether in-person or online, as well as local government work, are suspended to allow devotees to participate in the activities for the Feast Day of the Black Nazarene.
Suspension of work in the national government offices and private companies in the city is left to the discretion of their management, it said.
The city mayor also issued Executive Order No. 2 imposing a liquor ban from Jan. 7 to 9 in the city to maintain peace and order during the celebration of the feast day.
“It is necessary to prohibit the sale of liquor and other alcoholic beverages within the Quiapo area particularly in all barangays within the parish of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene,” the EO stated.
The Manila Police District (MPD) on Tuesday, Jan. 3, said around 5,000 personnel are set to be deployed to secure the feast activities.
Around five million devotees are expected to participate in the “Walk of Faith” procession on the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 8.