Early devotees clog traffic near Quiapo church as Black Nazarene weekend starts

The traffic in the Quiapo district in Manila was clogged before dawn on Friday as early devotees began flocking to Quiapo Church for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9. The southbound part of Quezon Boulevard was clogged, prompting commuters to walk instead of ride to their destinations, a radio dzBB report said on Friday. Vehicles bound for the Lawton area were caught in the traffic jam, which began even before 5:00 a.m., the dzBB report said. At the Quiapo Church area, dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported devotees with small replica images of the Black Nazarene clogged the Plaza Miranda area. A predawn Mass was attended by devotees, most of whom wore maroon shirts because the image of the Black Nazarene is dressed in a maroon garb. Earlier, Manila Police District Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla said on Thursday around six million Catholic devotees are expected to join the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene on Sunday. According to the MPD Traffic Enforcement Unit (MTEU), among the areas where there will be heavy traffic are: the stretch of Roxas Blvd./Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to TM Kalaw north and southbound lane southbound of Quezon Blvd. from C.M. Recto to Palanca (subway-Isetan Recto) stretch of Lerma from P. Campa to Quezon Blvd. westbound lane of Taft Ave./Finance westbound lane of Lagusnilad/P. Burgos Freedom Triangle-northbound lane of P. Burgos/Taft Ave. Villegas/N.A. Lopez southbound of 25th St./Bonifacio Drive 300 traffic enforcers Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy 300 traffic enforcers to Manila's Quiapo district for the Feast of the Black Nazarene. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the traffic enforcers will start working at 4 a.m. Sunday around the vicinity of Quiapo Church. "This is the first time for MMDA to lend support to Manila in line with the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Our traffic enforcers will supervise vehicular and pedestrian traffic to avoid accidents or any untoward incident particularly along the route of the procession," Tolentino said in an article posted on the MMDA website on Thursday. He added that the MMDA contingent will augment the existing number of enforcers from the Philippine National Police and the Manila local government. Most of the traffic enforcers will be manning the roads leading to the Quiapo Church to ensure the safety of some six million devotees. MMDA ambulances, tow trucks, and personnel from the Rescue Unit will be on standby to provide assistance in case of emergencies. Metro aides and street sweepers will also be deployed in the area after the procession to clean and clear the roads of all types of clutter. Tolentino requested the public to cooperate with the traffic enforcers and other authorities in order to guarantee a safe, orderly, and meaningful celebration. – VVP, GMANews.TV