Globe, Smart to cut mobile services in Quiapo during Traslacion

Mobile services in areas where the Black Nazarene procession will pass on Tuesday will be temporarily suspended as requested by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In separate advisories, Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. said there will be no mobile services in the immediate vicinity of the Black Nazarene procession.

The Traslacion, or annual procession of the black image of Jesus Christ to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, will begin at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park at 6:00 a.m.

“The suspension will begin at 5 a.m. of Jan. 9, 2018 until the image of the Black Nazarene returns to Quiapo Church, at around midnight the same day,” Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo said in an advisory.

“Due to overlapping mobile signal from cellsites in adjacent areas, the suspension of services could affect customers in other parts of Manila and Cavite,” he said.

In a separate advisory, Globe said there will also be a temporary loss of signal in Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Makati, and other neighboring areas during the procession in compliance with an order from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Smart spokesperson Ramon Isberto said Smart will also shut down mobile services in the Quiapo area for the procession.

“Shutdown along the procession route until the Black Nazarene returns to Quiapo Church,” he said in a separate text message to GMA News Online.

The service shutdown was prompted by a request from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Globe’s Castelo. — VDS/BM, GMA News