Manila to enforce ‘zero vendor’ policy along Traslacion routes

The city government of Manila on Friday reminded the public that street vendors are not allowed during the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9.

"Ipatutupad po natin ng lubos, 100 percent 'yung zero vendor policy po tayo. Kaya po ngayon pa lang, nakikiusap tayo sa ating mga kababayan na huwag na hong balakin na magtinda sa Quirino grandstand at sa kalsada na dadaanan ng prusisyon," city administrator Ericson Alcovendaz said at a press conference.

"Huhulihin po kayo ng ating kapulisan kaya po nais po namin ipaalaam yan. Sana makiisa kayo sa zero vendor policy para maging maayos at malinis din po ang ating pagdiriwang," Alcovendaz added.

Alcovendaz also said Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada had already directed that clearing operations will be conducted along the route of the Traslacion.

"Gaya ng dati, todo po ang suporta ng lungsod ng Maynila dito sa taunang pilgrimage of the Black Nazarene... Siniguro na po niya (Estrada) na 'yung dadaanan ng prusisyon ay naayos na ho 'yung kalsada, wala na hong mga kawad na puwedeng masabitan ng Poong Nazareno," Alcovendaz said.

"Inatasan na rin po niya ang engineering department na magkaroon po ng clearing operations kaya po ito po ay uumpisahan bukas sa lahat ho ng kalsada na dadaanan ng prusisyon. Aalisin na ho natin lahat ng makakaabala ho," he added.

The local government official also assured the public that the city's health department is ready to provide medical assistance for the devotees in case of emergency.

The annual observance of Traslacion commemorates the arrival of the image of the Black Nazarene to Quiapo in 1767.

The image will be made accessible to devotees as they will be allowed to kiss and touch it during the pahalik at Quirino Grandstand on January 8. —LDF, GMA News