PASIG CITY, (PIA) -- To provide security and safety for devotees of the Black Nazarene, over 15,000 personnel were deployed over the weekend.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, together with National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Director Jose Melecio Nartatez Jr., Quiapo Church Rector Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr., Parish Vicar Fr. Jonathan Mojica, and other leaders of different agencies joined forces for the upcoming event on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

The personnel will be deployed in strategic areas such as Quirino Grandstand, Quiapo Church, and the whole procession route.

Meanwhile, as the traditional procession of the Black Nazarene returns for the first time in three years in Manila, church authorities are implementing measures to keep the solemnity of one of the nation’s biggest religious festivals.

“It’s not really something new, but rather a return to the old ways of expressing our devotion,” said Quiapo Church rector Fr. Jun Sescon “

One of the notable measures being implemented for the “Traslacion” or procession from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church is the new design of “andas” or carriage of the life-sized Black Nazarene statue— now encased in “laminated tempered glass.”

The parish church earlier announced that climbing onto the carriage is prohibited to ensure the safety of the devotees.

Among the devotees, kissing the cross and touching the image are seen as ultimate goals, believed to bring miracles.

“The measures we’re implementing now for a solemn and orderly procession have long been desired by parish priests before me and the former mayors and police directors,” Sescon said.

The organizers also encouraged the devotees to keep their face masks on even in outdoor venues for health and safety protocols.

In Quiapo, the parish has decided to maintain one-meter physical distance among the devotees both inside and outside the church during Masses.

“We’ll do our best… but we are also willing to adjust if the situation calls for it,” the rector added. (Manila/CBCP/PIA-NCR)