Over a million Catholic devotees join the beginning of the Traslacion in honor of the revered image of the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand on January 2024 in Manila. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The City Government of Manila is fully ready to welcome and assist the millions of devotees expected to flock to its streets tomorrow, January 9, for this year's Traslacion, according to Mayor Honey Lacuna.

In an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo on Wednesday night, Lacuna said that authorities once again roamed the routes of procession today to get rid of any possible hurdles.

Mga deboto tinitiis ang mahabang pila para sa pahalik sa Poong Jesus Nazareno

"Kanina pong mga ala-sais ay pinaikutan po natin muli sa ating mga kawani 'yung ruta ng traslacion simula Quirino Grandstand hanggang Quiapo, para makita po na clear po sa any form of obstruction yung dadanan ng andas ni Senior  Poong Nazareno," she said.

Over 15 streets are part of the procession's route starting from Quirino Grandstand to Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo.

Lacuna likewise reminded Manila residents to help clean any obstruction.

"Sana po ay panatiling malinis at walang obstruction ang daraanan ng Traslacion bukas nang sa gayon po ay dire-diretso pong magagawa ang prusisyon po," she said.

Aside from police officers who will be deployed in Manila for the feast tomorrow, staffs from the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau will also help in ensuring that no vehicles are blocking any road, Lacuna stressed.

Furthermore, Manila is implementing a liquor ban on Thursday. This means that drinking or selling alcoholic beverages within the 500-meter radius of Quiapo Church and all Traslacion routes are prohibited.

“Whereas, to promote peace and order during the commemoration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, it is necessary to prohibit the sale of liquor and consumption of intoxication and alcoholic beverages within the 500-meter radius of Quiapo Church and all paths of the Traslacion in Manila City whether public or private taking into consideration the somberness of the occasion and in light of the participation of the general public, not just Manilenos,” Lacuna's Executive Order No. 1 reads.

Officials call for no kissing of Nazareno during 'pahalik'

As for garbage, she said the same usual routine will be used to keep the areas clean.

"Kagaya po ng mga nakaraang taon, simula pa lang ng preusisyon mula po sa Quirino Grandstand, may nakasunod na po tayong sa dulo ng prosisyon. Sisiguraduhin po na lahat po ng madaraanan ay malilinis na po agad," the Manila mayor explained.

While assuring that hospitals are on "code white" alert or ready to respond to emergencies, Lacuna advised those who are feeling sick to no longer risk themselves to the jampacked procession, and just watch the live broadcast of masses.

"Simula 9 p.m., may mga isasara nang kalsada. Nagdadagsaan na sa Quirino Grandstand ang mga kakabayan dahil on going ang pahalik," she said.

The following road closures and re-routing were announced by Manila Public Information Office (PIO) and are effective until Thursday:

• 1. Stretch of Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to P. Burgos Ave.;
• 2. Katigbak Drive and South Drive (One Lane Accessible to Manila Hotel and H20 Hotel; (plastic barrier);
• 3. Stretch of Independence Road;
• 4. Stretch of Roxas Blvd. from Katigbak to U.N. Ave.;
• 5. Stretch of P. Burgos from Roxas Blvd. to Jones, McArthur and Quezon Bridge;
• 6. Stretch of Finance Rd. from P. Burgos Ave. to Taft Ave.;
• 7. Stretch of Ma. Orosa St. from TM. Kalaw to P. Burgos Ave.;
• 8. Stretch of Taft Ave. from U.N. Ave. to P. Burgos Ave.;
• 9. Stretch of Romualdez from U.N Ave. to Ayala Bivd.;
• 10. Stretch of Ayala Ave. from Taft Ave. to Romualdez St.;
• 11. Stretch of C. Palanca St. from P. Casal to Plaza Lacson;
• 12. Stretch of P. Casal from C. Palanca to Arlegui St.;
• 13. Stretch of Legarda St. from CM. Recto Ave. to Arlegui St.;
• 14. Stretch of Quezon Bivd. from Fugoso St to Quezon Bridge; and
• 15. Westbound Lane España Bivd from P. Campa to Lerma St.

Rerouting of vehicles going northbound:

• - All vehicles travelling southbound of Mel Lopez Blvd. (R-10) going to Roxas Blvd. shall turn left to Capulong St., straight to Yuseco St. to Lacson Ave. to point of destination.
• - All vehicles travelling southbound of J. Abad Santos Ave. / R. Regente going to Intramuros Area., shall turn right to San Fernando St., left to Madrid St., left to Muelle Dela Industria to Binondo-Intramuros Bridge to A. Soriano Ave. to point of destination or take Juan Luna St., right to Muelle Dela Industria to Binondo-Intramuros Bridge.
• - All vehicles travelling southbound of Rizal Ave. intending to utilize McArthur Bridge going to south area, shall turn left to CM. Recto Ave., left to Legarda St., to point of destination.
• - All vehicles travelling southbound of A. Mendoza St. going to Quezon Blvd., shall turn right to Fugoso St., to Rizal Ave., to point of destination.
• - All vehicles travelling westbound lane of España Blvd. going to Quezon Bivd., shall turn left to N. Reyes St., to CM. Recto Ave., to point of destination.

Rerouting of vehicles going northbound:

• - All light vehicles travelling northbound of Roxas Bivd. going to P. Burgos Ave. shall tum right to U.N. Ave., straight to P. Guanzon St. to Mabini Bridge to point of destination.
• - All trucks and trailers traveling northbound of Roxas Blvd. going to Mel Lopez Blvd. (Pier Area) shall turn right to Pres. Quirino Avenue to Mabini Bridge to point of destination.
• - All vehicles travelling northbound of Taft Ave. going to P. Burgos Ave., shall turn right to U.N. Ave., straight to P. Guazon St. to Mabini Bridge to point of destination.
• - All Trucks and Trailers travelling northbound of Osmeña Highway going to Mel Lopez BIvd. (Pier Area shall turn right to Pres. Quirino Ave., to Mabini Bridge to point of destination.
• - All vehicles coming from A. Mabini St. intending to utilize TM. Kalaw Ave., shall turn right to U.N. Ave., straight to P. Guanzon St. to Mabini Bridge to point of destination.
• -All vehicles coming from Ma. Orosa St. intending to utilize TM. Kalaw Ave., shall turn right to U.N. Ave., straight to P. Guanzon St. to Mabini Bridge to point of destination.

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