Only 30% of Quiapo Church capacity filled during Nazarene feast, vicar assures

As devotees continued to flock to Quiapo Church on Saturday for the Feast of the Black Nazarene, the vicar gave the assurance that only 30% of the venue capacity is filled, in accordance with guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

"Nasusunod ang 30% minimum seating capacity sa loob ng Quiapo Church," Fr. Douglas Badong, parochial vicar of Quiapo Church (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene), said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Devotees were seen falling in line outside the church and sitting on Quezon Boulevard awaiting their turn to get in.

Members of the Hijos del Nazareno who serve as marshals helped police enforce social distancing.

However, social distancing remained a challenge as more devotees kept on arriving.

"Posible pang dumami ang mga debotong magtutungo sa Quiapo Church," Fr. Badong said.

Monsignor Hernando Coronel, rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, on Friday said it would be better for devotees to participate in online Masses or in their local churches on Jan. 9 during the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

"Dini-discourage po namin na pumunta kayo sa simbahan ng Quiapo sapagkat nasa pandemic tayo," Coronel said during an online forum of the Department of Health.

"Hindi natin mapipigilan ang mga deboto pero marami rin ang mga nananatili na lamang sa kanilang tahanan," Fr. Badong said.

He added that the blessing is the same whether one goes to Quiapo Church on Jan. 9 or attends Mass online from their homes.

"Parehong pagpapala ang tatanggapin ng mga debotong nagtungo at nananatili lamang sa kanilang tahanan," Fr. Badong said.

Devotees entering Quiapo Church are given contact tracing forms as part of protocols against possible COVID-19 transmission.

"Ang kaya naming i-trace ay 'yung mga papasok lamang ng simbahan," Fr. Badong said.

The January 9 feast day of the Black Nazarene is traditionally attended by thousands of devotees who attend the Pahalik (kissing of the image) and the Mass at Quirino Grandstand in Luneta before the huge procession called Traslacion is held ending at Quiapo Church.

However, this year's Traslacion has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. —KG, GMA News