Skip next year’s traslacion — Yorme

If Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso can have his way, he prefers that the public stay away from the various religious processions in Manila, particularly the traslacion of the Black Nazarene and the Sto. Niño procession in Tondo.

However, he admitted the matter is still up in the air pending another meeting with Quiapo Church officials.

“As a Catholic myself and also one who attends this yearly tradition, this time I will not allow it. This is not only for Batang Maynila, but all Catholic followers of the Nazareno who come to the city: Forego this event given the prevailing situation. It’s difficult and no one can say what will happen. It will be hard to restrain the public if it is decided to push through with it given the situation,” Domagoso said.

Likewise, the City of Manila has announced new curfew hours.

Beginning today, 21 October until 30 November, curfew hours will be from midnight to 4 a.m. This will be adjusted on 1 December to end at 3 a.m., taking into consideration the request of Church officials to allow the faithful to attend the traditional simbang gabi.

Previously, the curfew ran from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The new curfew hours follow the provision of Ordinance 8692 that was unanimously passed by the Manila City Council under presiding officer and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and authored by majority floor leader Atty. Joel Chua.

Beginning today, 21 October until 30 November, curfew hours will be from midnight to 4 a.m. This will be adjusted on 1 December to end at 3 a.m.

All residents and those passing through the city are covered by the new curfew hours, except minors who remain covered by Ordinance 8547, which imposes a 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew for them.

Based on the traslacion last January, the police battalion deployed for crowd control was no match to the devotees of the Black Nazarene.

However, the mayor said if the situation improves before 9 January 2020, it is a different story and will be subject for approval.

But based on the present situation, the mayor is emphatic in saying, “No, no, no” to the traslacion.

On the other hand, he said the decision to adjust the curfew was an offshoot of a meeting with metro mayors, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Inter-Agency Task Force, where it was agreed upon that the hours should be adjusted to accommodate and rev up businesses in the city which, in turn, are expected to protect and create jobs.