The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is expecting more than 6.5 million Black Nazarene devotees to attend this year’s procession, or Traslacion, in Manila on Thursday, Jan. 9.

NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin said they have already set up the security measures and deployed sufficient number of policemen to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the long procession.

“Last year’s event drew 6.5 million devotees, and this year’s celebration is expected to draw even larger crowds,” the NCRPO said in a statement. 

“Over 14,000 NCRPO personnel and reinforcements from other regions and agencies will be deployed to ensure the peaceful conduct of Nazareno 2025,” it added. 

Aberin said strict regulations will be enforced in Manila, starting off with the implementation of the gun ban starting Wednesday, Jan. 8 and the implementation of bans on backpacks, umbrellas, alcohol, firearms, and vendors near Quiapo Church during the event.

“Key areas will also be covered by no-fly, no-drone, and no-sail zones, and a liquor ban will be imposed within 500 meters of event venues,” said Aberin.

The official also reminded personnel to remain vigilant, uphold the law, and respect participants’ rights while maintaining maximum tolerance 

1,300 cops from Central Luzon

Police Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, director of the Police Regional Office 3, has ordered the deployment of around 1,300 policemen from Central Luzon to assist in the conduct of procession and other activities relating to the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Maranan said his men will coordinate with the NCRPO and other stakeholders to identify the areas where they could be deployed and provide assistance.

“The purpose of the deployment is to ensure the safety and security of those who would attend the activity,” said Maranan.

Zero waste

Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition is urging the devotees to express their faith through ecological action that minimizes trash and protects the environment.

The group has already sent some of its members in Manila to personally remind Black Nazarene devotees of the importance of avoiding the generation of garbage and keeping the processional route litter-free as they profess their undying devotion to Jesus Nazareno. 

“As the feast of the Black Nazarene will now be celebrated as a liturgical feast in dioceses nationwide, it is all the more important to celebrate it in a way that corresponds with the bishops' call for ecological action,” the group said. 

"Our advocacy for reduced use and disposal of single-use plastics during the massive feast of the Black Nazarene is a concrete way of putting the bishops' call for ecological action into practice," it added.

Ochie Tolentino, Zero Waste Campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition, said among the most common littered items in past celebrations of the feast of the Black Nazarene were single-use plastics such as plastic water bottles and cups, polystyrene food containers, plastic cutlery, plastic bags and wrappers, and even plastic cigarette butts and disposable vapes. 

"As our nation is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, we are challenged to integrate our duty to care for God's creation in all aspects of our lives, including in the celebration of our faith," said Tolentino. 

"By taking simple steps such as avoiding single-use plastics, not littering, sorting our discards and putting them in designated receptacles, we honor not only our faith but also our responsibility to protect the environment," she added.