Security measures are in place to ensure a peaceful, safe, and orderly conduct of this year’s Feast of Jesus Nazareno, including the highly anticipated “Traslacion” or the procession of the revered image of Jesus Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church in Manila on Thursday, Jan. 9.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reaffirmed its commitment to the success of the said Catholic religious festival, which is expected to draw an estimate of six million devotees.
OCD National Capital Region (NCR) Director George F. Keyser visited key sites to make sure that on duty personnel are prepared to assist the devotees, including the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the Kartilya ng Katipunan which will serve as the Regional Incident Management Team Incident Command Post, the Quiapo Multi-Agency Command Center (MACC), and the Quirino Grandstand where the procession will begin.
A critical aspect of the preparation, according to the OCD, is the establishment of a virtual Emergency Operations Center.
“This initiative aims to facilitate real-time communication and swift coordination among response clusters and local government units, ensuring that information flows efficiently across all agencies involved,” Keyser said.
He noted that real-time updates of the procession will be relayed to various government agencies tasked to keep the event safe through the Regional Incident Management Team, while the virtual EOC will remain operational until Jan. 10.
In addition, the OCD said that the Manila Police District (MPD) has announced a cell signal interruption starting at 4 a.m. on Jan. 9, which will last until the “andas” or carriage reaches Quiapo Church.
A no-sail zone will also be enforced until Jan. 10 alongside a ban on private drone flights.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed 1,128 frontline personnel to assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies in securing the Traslacion.
Among those deployed for the Traslacion are a highly specialized team of search and rescue operators, divers, K-9 handlers with their working dogs, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, law enforcement officers, and medical teams.
The PCG said the frontline personnel will be stationed across key bridges along the Pasig River such as the Ayala Bridge, Quezon Bridge, McArthur Bridge, Jones Bridge, and Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, ensuring a comprehensive response to any emergencies or security concerns.
The PCG also dispatched 21 floating assets that will conduct maritime security and safety operations in the vicinity waters of Pasig River and Manila Bay, as well as nine land vehicles that will perform roving inspections in the city of Manila.
Additional personnel from various PCG units including K9 Teams, Special Operations Unit (SOU) divers, Special Operations Force (SOF), Coast Guard Anti-Terrorism Unit (CGATU), Coast Guard Medical Teams and Coast Guard District National Capital Region - Central Luzon (CGDNCR-CL) will be on standby to render necessary support.
“The PCG urges all participants to cooperate with the authorities, adhere to safety protocols, and remain vigilant to ensuring a peaceful and secure celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene to ensure the safety and security of the million devotees for the celebration of annual feast of the Black Nazarene,” PCG spokesperson Commodore Algier Ricafrente said.