Guns, liquor, firecrackers banned during Traslacion 2024 —officials

Authorities will ban firearms, liquors, firecrackers, and sailing for the security of Traslacion on January 9 amid the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, officials said on Thursday.

"Magkakaroon po tayo ng liquor ban at saka firecracker ban sa vicinity po ng Quiapo... Gun ban din po, kasama po iyan lahat," Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said in a press conference.

(We will have a liquor ban and firecracker ban within the vicinity of Quiapo... Also, a gun ban.)

Lacuna said the city government is planning to suspend classes and work on the day of the Traslacion, but it is still waiting for comments from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on the matter.

At the same press conference, Manila Police District (MPD) chief Police Colonel Arnold Thomas Ibay said flying, sailing, and using of drones will also be prohibited during the traditional religious procession.

"We would like to emphasize iyong mga pinagbabawal po. Mayroon po tayong i-implement na gun ban, no fly zone, no sail zone, at saka iyong mga drones po natin," Ibay said.

(We would like to emphasize the prohibited acts. We will implement a gun ban, a no fly zone, no sail zone, and drone ban.)

According to Ibay, there has been no threat monitored so far for Traslacion.

Meanwhile, Quiapo Church said first aid, medical, as well as search and rescue stations will be set up in each of the 12 segments of the procession, 14 prayer stations, and eight LED wall sites.

"There are 100 plus organizations, as of last count this morning, na nag-volunteer po para tumulong sa (that have volunteered for) first aid and medical services. They are composed of Catholics and non-Catholic volunteers," Quiapo Church's operation director Christopher Grajo said.

Field hospitals will also be set up in some areas around the church and along the Traslacion route to accommodate more serious health concerns.

One of the activities in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, Traslacion is a procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church of the 400-year-old black image of Jesus Christ.

The Traslacion, with around 2 million expected participants, was not held in the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. —KBK, GMA Integrated News