MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said a code white alert is in effect until January 10 for the celebration of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.
“Ang alertong ito ay nagsisiguro na ang lahat ng itinalagang medical personnel, kagamitan, at pasilidad sa NCR (National Capital Region) at mga karatig rehiyon gaya ng Central Luzon at Calabarzon ay nakaantabay upang mabilis na tumugon sa mga emerhensiya o insidenteng may kaugnayan sa kalusugan sa panahon ng malaking pagtitipong panrelihiyon (This alert would ensure that designated medical personnel, equipment, and facilities in the NCR and neighboring regions like Central Luzon and Calabarzon are on standby to quickly respond to health-related emergencies during the religious procession),” according to a news release on Tuesday.
The DOH would deploy medical teams and health stations along key areas of the Traslacion procession route on January 9, including Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, SM Manila, Ayala Bridge, P. Casal Street and Quinta Market, on January 9.
It added that 201 personnel from the Health Emergency Response Team of 20 DOH hospitals in Metro Manila, including Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center,Tondo Medical Center and Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila and East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, will be assigned to provide medical support.
Partner agencies such as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, National Capital Region Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard and Metro Manila Center for Health Development will play key roles in ensuring coordinated and effective health responses.
Health stations installed along the Traslacion route will provide basic and advanced care, with ambulances on standby.
The DOH also encouraged devotees to refrain from attending the Traslacion if they are feeling unwell or showing symptoms such as cough and colds, to prevent worsening their conditions and spreading virus.
It also emphasized the importance of following health and safety precautions during the event, recommends frequent drinking of water to stay hydrated, wearing comfortable clothing, and limiting prolonged exposure to the heat to avoid heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.
“Ang taunang Traslacion ay panata na ng milyun-milyong mga Pilipinong deboto. Kasama niyo ang DOH sa pagtitiyak ng maayos na kalusugan at kaligtasan ng lahat (The yearly Traslacion is a sacred tradition for millions of Filipino devotees. The DOH is committed to ensuring the health and safety of everyone),” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.
Quirino Grandstand inspection
MMDA officials, headed by Chair Don Artes, inspected Quirino Grandstand lwhere the traditional “pahalik” (veneration by kissing or touching the image) began Tuesday.
The MMDA placed plastic barricades to ensure orderliness of the queue and tents to serve as shade for the devotees.
Emergency response is on standby for those who’ll be needing immediate medical attention.
Security cameras are also installed around the areas where the procession will pass to monitor traffic situations and ensure peace and order, in cooperation with the police.
“We have deployed 1,200 personnel for the procession alone, including those who are tasked to maintain the cleanliness of the road right after the procession passes through a certain route,” Artes said.
Artes assured that clearing and cleaning operations are being undertaken to eliminate not just illegally parked vehicles but also trash and other obstructions in the road.
“We appeal to our kababayans (countrymen) not to throw trash which can cause injury or harm fellow devotees who will join the procession on Thursday, especially since majority of them join the Traslacion barefoot,” he said in a news release.
The number coding scheme will be suspended in Manila on the feast day, declared a special non-working holiday.
The MMDA also advised rerouting for affected motorists:
Light vehicles
Coming from the south (Roxas Boulevard and Taft Avenues), take United Nations Avenue, straight to Nagtahan Street-(Paz Guanzon Street (Otis), left to Mabini Bridge towards Magsaysay Boulevard and Lacson Avenue to destination and vice versa.
Noming from the north ( Malabon-Navotas and Port Area), take Anda Circle then take Soriano Avenue (Intramuros), Magallanes Drive towards Chinatown
Trucks
Going to North Harbor from SLEX, straight ahead to Osmeña Hiway then right turn to Quirino Avenue, straight to Nagtahan Street, going to Lacson Avenue, left to Yuseco Street, and straight ahead to Capulong Street. Right turn or turn left to R-10 Road to destination.
Trucks coming from Parañaque area, right to Quirino Avenue to Mabini Bridge, then Lacson Avenue to destination. Same route may be utilized by going to south.
‘Ready’
Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense-National Capital Region (OCD-NCR) is ready for the annual religious festival, establishing a virtual emergency operations center for real-time communication among response clusters and local government units.
In a statement Tuesday night, the OCD said NCR Director George Keyser visited the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Emergency Operations Center, the Kartilya ng Katipunan Regional Incident Management Team Incident Command Post, the Quiapo Multi-Agency Command Center, and the Quirino Grandstand to ensure that the facilities were prepared.
“OCD-NCR outlined extensive plans established by Quiapo Parish Officials and the Manila local government unit, which include deployment strategies for the Incident Management Team, road closures, designated evacuation centers, and robust contingency plans in case of emergencies,” the OCD said. (With Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)