NextGen Day

The request to stop the customary Traslacion procession and other related festivities for “The Feast of the Black Nazarene” this year was adopted by the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 on Wednesday, according to Malacanang.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, reiterated President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal to the Roman Catholic Church and Black Nazarene devotees to cancel physical gatherings, including the traditional procession on January 9, to further prevent the spread of Covid-19 cases in a virtual media briefing.

“Kaugnay nito inaaprubahan ng National Task Force Against Covid-19 ang pasuspende ng Traslacion o ang procession ng imahe ng itim na Nazareno,” Nograles stated.

The suspension also involves the closing of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Manila, also known as Quiapo Church, from January 7 to 9, and no physical masses.

As an alternative, Nograles stated that the NTF has approved the holding of online masses that would be broadcast across the country.

The Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a joint statement urging all Black Nazarene devotees to safely observe the Traslacion and related festivities by participating in virtual events at home rather than visiting dangerous gatherings.

“We saw how quickly, how quickly Covid-19 has risen as a result of social gatherings this past holiday season.” We want to encourage everyone to stay attentive and follow the required health procedures in light of the looming threat of the Omicron variant and the recent increase in cases,” stated DOH Secretary of Health Francisco T. Duque III.

The “alarming scenario,” according to WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, urges for safer ways to celebrate traditions.

“We are pleading with devotees to stay at home in order to help restrict the spread of Covid-19 and its variations. It is an act of charity to do so. “We must look out for one another, particularly our elderly and those with underlying medical concerns,” he stated.

Despite the Quiapo Church’s decision to follow the NTF order banning the Traslacion and other similar physical activities, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso claimed the city administration will be stronger in enforcing health rules.

“Pangalawa ng walang Traslacion, last year me misa, so ang ginawa natin choke points tapos pila, but this time wala talaga, walang misa physically, walang video wall, sarado ang simbahan, online mass lang (This is the second time there will be no Traslacion, last year there were masses, so what we did was there were choke points and lines, but this time there will be no

He warned the people not to visit Quiapo Church, stating that police and enforcement units would be stationed within the church’s perimeter as well as on all routes leading to the church.

From 6 p.m. on January 8 until 6 a.m. on January 10, Domagoso signed an executive order forbidding the sale of liquor and other alcoholic beverages.

Msgr. Hernando “Ding” Coronel, Rector and Parish Priest of the Quiapo Church, was thanked for heeding the city government’s appeal to halt the march and related events.

The limits will remain in place for the next Sto. Nino in Tondo feast day, which is held every third Sunday in January.

The Traslacion is a historic procession of the Black Nazarene, a picture of Jesus Christ, from Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to Quezon Boulevard in Manila, held every year for the Catholic faithful.

Due to the global health crisis, the Black Nazarene’s traditional procession has been halted for the second year.

Following the holiday season, a dramatic surge of Covid-19 infections has been documented in Metro Manila, putting the city on Alert Level 3.

The DOH reported 10,775 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, up 50% from the 5,434 infections reported on Tuesday.

Since the pandemic began in March 2020, the country’s active case count has increased to 39,974 and total confirmed infections to 2,871,745 cases.

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