Quiapo Church bares do's and don'ts for safe Nazareno 2023 activities

The Quiapo Church on Tuesday issued the rules and regulations that will be observed during the activities related to the Feast of the Black Nazarene 2023, including the “Walk of Faith” procession on January 8.

At a media conference, the Quiapo Church encouraged participants to observe health protocols against COVID-19 such as the wearing of face masks, frequent sanitizing of hands, and social distancing.

The church also advised participants to bring government-issued IDs in case of emergency.

People who are sick — including those who have body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius and blood pressure higher than 130/80 as well as people with sore throat, continuous sneezing, coughs, colds, and loose bowel movement — are discouraged from attending the activities.

Among the prohibited items during the activities are the following:

• medium to life size Nazareno images
• istandarte or banners
• carriage or andas
• firearms and deadly weapons
• pyrotechnic devices
• drone cameras
• professional cameras and video recorders
• selfie sticks
• large bags
• blankets, hampers, storage boxes
• portable appliances
• LPG and stoves
• tents, tables, and other picnic items
• umbrellas
• alcoholic beverages
• smoking and vaping
• laser pointers, large chains, spikes, and other big metal objects
• scooters, skateboards, skates
• vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles
• heavy meals
• plastic and glass bottles
• food sticks
• pets
• black plastics
• jackets

Only authorized people are allowed to have command and emergency vehicles, sound system and bullhorn, UHF/VHF radio, satellite phones, tents, LED billboards, and meals for volunteers during the festivities, the Quiapo Church said.

The Quiapo Church also prohibited participants to kiss the images of the Black Nazarene to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.

No threat

At a press briefing, Manila Police District director Police Brigadier General Andre Dizon said there is no security threat monitored on the celebration of the feast.

“Base sa [Based on] National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, as of today, wala tayong namo-monitor na [we have not monitored any] terrorist threat,” he said.

Around 3,000 MPD personnel are set to be deployed to secure the activities, according to Dizon.

The police official said they are expecting around a million people to participate in the Walk of Faith, a procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.

Liquor ban, class suspension

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, at the same press briefing, said the city government will impose a liquor ban from January 7 to 9 and suspend the classes on January 9 in light of the Black Nazarene feast.

“Maglalabas po kami ng executive order patungkol po sa liqour ban at kasama na po yung executive order ng pagde-declare ng January 9 na wala pong pasok dito sa lungsod ng Maynila,” she said.

(We will issue an executive order regarding the liquor ban and another executive order declaring class suspension here in Manila on January 9.)

The MPD said the following roads will be closed to traffic in light of Black Nazarene feast activities:

January 6, 2023 from 10:00 PM onwards (Quirino Grandstand)

• Stretch of Katigbak Drive
• Stretch of Independence Road
• Stretch of South Drive
• Northbound and Southbound lane of Roxas Blvd. from South Drive to Katigbak Drive

January 8, 2023 from 12:01 AM onwards (Quiapo Church)

• Northbound and Southbound lane of Quezon Blvd. from A. Mendoza/Fugoso to Quezon Bridge straight to P. Burgos (Park N' Ride)
• Westbound and Eastbound lane of España Blvd from P. Campa to A. Mendoza.
• Stretch of Evangelista St. from Plaza San Juan to C.M. Recto Ave.
• Stretch of Raon St. from Evangelista to Quezon Blvd.
• Stretch of P. Paterno St. from Quezon Blvd. to Evangelista
• Stretch of Carriedo St. from Rizal Ave. to Plaza San Juan
• Stretch of C. Palanca St. from Mc Arthur Bridge to Quiapo Ilalim (Quinta Market) straight to P. Casal
• Stretch of Bustos St. from Plaza Sta. Cruz to Rizal Ave.
• Northbound lane of Rizal Ave. from Carriedo to C.M. Recto Ave.
• Northbound lane of McArthur Bridge

Due to this, authorities are advising affected motorists to take the following rerouting schemes:

1. All Trucks and Trailer Trucks coming from Delpan Bridge shall turn around at Anda Circle to northbound lane of Mel Lopez Blvd. to C-3 to point of destination. (Old Truck Route)

2. All light vehicles coming from Bonifacio Drive intending to utilize the southbound lane of Roxas Blvd. shall turn left P. Burgos, right Ma. Orosa, right to TM. Kalaw, left to MH. Del Pilar or left to Roxas Blvd. Southbound to point of destination.

3. Light vehicles intending to utilize the northbound lane of Roxas Blvd. shall turn right to TM Kalaw, then turn left to Ma. Orosa, left to P. Burgos to point of destination.

4. All trucks and trailer trucks intending to utilize the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard shall turn right to Quirino Avenue to Plaza Dilao to point of destination.

5. All vehicles coming from McArthur and Jones Bridge intending to utilize the southbound lane of Roxas Blvd. from P. Burgos shall take Round Table, then to Ma. Orosa or use Taft Avenue to point of destination.

6. All Vehicles intending to utilize Quezon Blvd coming from A. Mendoza shall turn right to Fugoso St., left to Rizal Ave. or Severino Reyes St. to point of destination.

7. All Vehicles coming from Quezon City utilizing westbound lane of España Blvd. shall turn left to Tomas Mapua St. (Morayta), turn right to C.M. Recto Ave. or turn right to P Campa St., to Fugoso St. to point of destination.

8. Vehicles coming from P. Burgos Ave. intending to utilize Quezon Bridge or McArthur Bridge shall go straight to Jones Bridge to point of destination.

9. Vehicles coming from Ayala Bridge intending to utilize Palanca St. shall go straight to P. Casal St. to point of destination.

In December 2022, the Quiapo Church bared the activities and schedules for the observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene 2023.

Nazareno 2023 adviser Alex Irasga said traditional activities will be conducted except for pahalik (kissing of Black Nazarene image) and pasanan (carrying). —KBK, GMA Integrated News