LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – At least a million devotees, pilgrims, and tourists are expected to flock to Naga City for the fluvial procession of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia and Divino Rostro on Saturday, September 16.
The Joint Operations Center for the Peñafrancia Festival 2023 is expecting a huge crowd this year compared to last year after government loosened Covid-19 restrictions.
Last week’s Traslacion or transfer of image of the Bicol patroness have drawn an estimated crowd of 950,000 as per the Joint Operations Center assessment.
This year’s Traslacion crowd surpassed last year's 650,000 according to the Naga City government.
The Police Regional Office-5 has deployed at least 2,316 police personnel to man security and traffic in the Peñafrancia festivity.
"A total of 2,316 dedicated personnel were deployed to oversee the various activities and festivities scheduled throughout the month. This deployment includes personnel from different police provincial offices, individuals undergoing mandatory and service training, as well as the Regional Mobile Force Battalion and the Regional Special Training Unit," Police Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, PRO-5 spokesperson, said.
The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is giving "Libreng Sakay" (free rides) for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens going to and from Naga City for the event.
“Ayon kay Department of Transportation-Philippines (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, ang Philippine National Railways (PNR) ay maghahandog ng libreng sakay para sa mga senior citizens at persons with disabilities (PWDs) bilang pakikiisa sa pagdiriwang ng Peñafrancia Festival 2023,” the DOTr said.
“Libre ang sakay para sa mga senior citizens at PWDs bukas, araw ng Sabado (September 16), at Linggo (September 17), sa mga rutang Naga-Ligao-Naga at Naga- Sipocot-Naga. Ito ang mga sumusunod na oras ng biyahe: Naga-Sipocot, 5:20 at 10:40 a.m.; Sipocot-Naga, 6:40 at 8 a.m. at 12 noon; Ligao-Naga, 5:30 a.m. at 8:30 a.m.; Naga- Sipocot, 3:30 at 7 p.m.; Sipocot-Naga, 4:50 p.m.; at Naga- Ligao, 5:30 p.m. at 7 p.m. Ipakita lamang po ang inyong mga ID cards sa mga train personnel. Hangad po namin ang ligtas at masayang pagdiriwang ng kapistahan sa Bicol region,” the PNR said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Region 5 reactivated their motorist assistance centers in different areas in Bicol for tourists, pilgrims, and devotees going to Naga City to attend the biggest religious activity in the region.