By Aerol John Pateña/PNA
MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday cleared obstructions along the routes of the “Traslacion” of the Black Nazarene.
“As of the moment, we have seven tow trucks that are clearing garbage and other obstructions in routes where the Black Nazarene has passed through,” MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The agency has deployed a total of 850 personnel within the vicinity of the Quirino Grandstand, Quiapo Church and along the procession route to ensure the safety of devotees joining the “Traslacion”.
Its Traffic Enforcement Division is in charge of managing traffic along the designated routes of the procession and assisting motorists using alternate routes.
The Sidewalk Clearing Group will conduct its clearing of obstructions, particularly garbage at the Luneta Parade Ground and roads along the 5.9-km. procession route.
“Chairman (Danilo) Lim has given his directive to clear the roads of any obstruction,” Pialago said.
The MMDA also deployed emergency teams to the Grandstand and along the procession routes to give medical aid to devotees.
The route of the Grand Procession of the Black Nazarene are as follows: from the Quirino Grandstand to Katigbak Drive through P. Burgos, left Taft Ave. through Jones Bridge, right to Dasmarinas St., right to Plaza Sta. Cruz St., left Carlos Palanca St. under Quezon Bridge, left Quezon Blvd., right Arlegui St., right Fraternal St., right Vergara St., left Duque de Alba St., left Castillejos St., left Farnecio St., right Arlegui St., left Nepomuceno St. (counterflow), left Aguila St., right Carcer St., right Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen, left Bilibid Viejo through Puyat, left Guzman St., right Hidalgo St., left Baustista (Barbosa) St., right Globo de Oro through under Quezon Bridge, right Palanca St., right Villalobos through Plaza Miranda to Quiapo Church.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed its floating assets and personnel to secure the vicinity of Quirino Grandstand and Pasig River.
The PCG is implementing a “no-sail” zone, which prohibits sea vessels from traversing the Pasig River until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
On the other hand, Smart Communications shut down its mobile services in Quiapo, Manila and along the routes of the Black Nazarene procession upon instructions of the National Telecommunications Commission.
“In the interest of public safety, upon the instructions of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), we are temporarily shutting down mobile services of Smart, TNT and Sun in Quiapo, Manila and along the route of the Black Nazarene procession starting early morning of January 9, 2019,” Smart said in its advisory.
“We are also temporarily stopping the operation of some of our cell sites in parts of Pasay, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Malabon, Caloocan and Quezon City that are near the procession route,” the advisory read.
Smart will restore its mobile services in these areas upon clearance from concerned authorities.
Some 13 million to 15 million devotees are expected to participate in this year’s “Traslacion” based on MMDA estimates.
