The city government of Manila is targeting ‘zero-waste’ or ‘trash-less’ Feast of Black Nazarene or Traslacion on Monday, January 9.
This was announced by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Sunday about the Feast where hundreds of devotees are expected to flock in the city.
According to Estrada, 600 street sweepers will be deployed on the streets which will serve as route of the Traslacion and they will clean the streets before and after the procession.
Estrada said that the Department of Public Services of the city government has been given instruction to ensure a “trash-less” Traslacion.
Last year 2016, according to Estrada, more than 400 tons of garbage was collected along the route of the Traslacion.
“We hope it will be entirely different this time and that the devotees have learned to be more conscious of the environment,” Estrada said. “This can be realized, of course, with the help of everyone.”
“Let’s make this solemn feast of the Black Nazarene more meaningful by keeping our environment clean. We should refrain from carelessly throwing our garbage anywhere for it spoils the spirit of this revered tradition,” he added.
To ensure the massive clean-up, garbage bins will also be installed along the route of the procession for the use of the devotees.
In connection to this, Estrada also called on devotees who will join the Black Nazarene feast and the procession to avoid spitting and urinating in public places in order to attain the clean environment.
In strategic areas, portable toilets that may be used by devotees will be installed.
There were earlier reports saying possible terror threats on the Traslacion but Estrada allayed fears of terrorist threats during the celebration of the Feast of Black Nazarene.
“Our security organizations have not detected any terror threat related to Traslacion. The possibility of such terror attack is very minimal,” Estrada was quoted as saying in a news release on Saturday.
Days before the Traslacion, Manila Police District director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel reminded devotees to stay calm.
“Of course, we all agree that the threat exists regarding the possibility of a terror attack in any situation, including the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene,” Coronel said.
“But is there a strong possibility or likelihood that such attacks will happen? Based on the (–foul word(s) removed–)sment of our intelligence community ay very minimal naman po,” he added.
A group of security authorities composed of 6,000-member combined police, military and civilian security force will be deployed for the Traslacion.
Barangay officials, paramedics, firefighters, traffic aides, non-governmental organizations and members of communication groups will also serve as backup for these security forces.
Coronel also urged devotees not to bring backpacks to the procession as part of the security measures as backpacks may contain explosive devices that may endanger the safety of the devotees.
“Please avoid bringing backpacks. All you need is a hand towel or handkerchief, and plastic water bottle,” Coronel said.
