Coast Guard heightens security preps for ‘Traslacion’

BLACK NAZARENE DEVOTEES. Devotees inch their way to touch and kiss the Black Nazarene during the “Traslacion 2018” procession at the Quirino Grandstand dawn Tuesday (Jan. 9, 2018). (PNA file photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has beefed up its security preparations for the annual “Traslacion” of the Black Nazarene on January 9.

In a statement on Monday, the PCG said it would deploy its patrol vessels to secure the vicinity of the Quirino Grandstand and Pasig River.

A total of 31 floating assets would be deployed alongside with personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Maritime Group, Philippine Red Cross, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary as part of security measures for the event.

“The BRP Boracay and BRP Panglao will be positioned at the Manila Baywalk which will serve as Command Post and medical evacuation post in emergency cases and eventuality of non-passable roads due to the ‘Traslacion’,” Capt. Rolando Punzalan, PCG-National Capital Region District Commander, said.

Rubber boats and small crafts would be used and medical personnel would be on standby to provide emergency assistance to devotees along the Jones Bridge, according to Punzalan.

Road closures for ‘Traslacion’

Meanwhile, some roads in Manila will be closed to motorists for the procession of the Black Nazarene on January 8 and 9.

In its traffic advisory, the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit (MDTEU) of the Manila Police District said road closures will be implemented in the following areas:

Jan. 8, 2019 – 10 p.m.:

— Katigbak Drive and South Drive (one lane-accessible to Manila and H2O Hotel)

— Northbound lane of Quezon and McArthur Bridges from Bonifacio Shrine onwards

— Taft Avenue from Ayala Boulevard to Bonifacio Shrine

Jan. 9, 2019 – midnight:

— Stretch of McArthur, Jones and Quezon Bridges

— Roxas Boulevard from Katigbak Drive to T. M. Kalaw Street

— Both lanes of Quezon Boulevard (Quiapo) closed to traffic from A. Mendoza/Fugoso Streets and Espana Boulevard/P. Campa Street for southbound and from Taft Avenue/Ayala Boulevard for northbound

“Closure of some streets will be in effect as the procession approaches and will be opened immediately once the tail-end of the procession passes,” the advisory read.

The route of the Grand Procession of the Black Nazarene will be from the Quirino Grandstand to Katigbak Drive through P. Burgos, left Taft Avenue through Jones Bridge, right to Dasmarinas Street, right to Plaza Sta. Cruz Street, left Carlos Palanca Street under Quezon Bridge, left Quezon Boulevard, right Arlegui Street, right Fraternal Street, right Vergara Street, left Duque de Alba Street, left Castillejos Street, left Farnecio Street, right Arlegui Street, left Nepomuceno Street (counterflow), left Aguila Street, right Carcer Street, right Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen, left Bilibid Viejo through Puyat, left Guzman Street, right Hidalgo Street, left Bautista (Barbosa) Street, right Globo de Oro through under Quezon Bridge, right Palanca Street, right Villalobos through Plaza Miranda to Quiapo Church.

Motorists are advised to take of the following alternate routes:

Jan. 8, 2019 10 p.m.:

— Light vehicles traversing the stretch of Bonifacio Drive and Roxas Boulevard southbound shall turn around to Anda Circle going to A. Soriano Avenue; turn right to Gen.

Luna Street to Burgos-Orosa Street; then turn left to T. M. Kalaw Street to Taft Avenue to point of destination.

—Trucks and other heavy vehicles intending to utilize the stretch of Bonifacio Drive southbound shall turn around Anda Circle going back to northbound lane of Road 10 to C3 to point of destination.

— Vehicles coming from southern part of Metro Manila intending to utilize the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard from TM Kalaw Street to P. Burgos Street shall turn right to T. M. Kalaw Street left to Orosa Street going to Intramuros left to A. Soriano Avenue to point of destination.

— Vehicles traveling along P. Burgos Street shall turn right to Finance Road to Ayala Avenue to point of destination.

— Vehicles using Taft Avenue northbound shall turn right to Ayala Boulevard to point of destination.

Jan. 9, 2019 midnight:

– Vehicles coming from Quezon City using the stretch of Espana Boulevard shall turn right to P. Campa Street then turn left to A. Mendoza Street; then turn right to Fugoso Street; turn right to C. M. Recto Avenue or left to Nicanor Reyes; turn right to C. M. Recto Avenue to point of destination.

— Vehicles coming from Legarda Street shall turn right to C. M. Recto Avenue or turn left to Mendiola Street to their point of destination.

— Vehicles coming from Caloocan City utilizing Rizal Avenue shall turn right to Fugoso Street or C.

M. Recto Avenue to point of destination.

— Heavy vehicles/cargo trucks shall take Pres. Osmena to Pres. Quirino Avenue to Nagtahan via A. H. Lacson Avenue to Capulong Street (vice versa)

— All buses using Taft Avenue northbound shall turn right to Ayala Avenue to point of destination.

— Vehicles coming from Reina Regente Street utilizing southbound lane shall turn right to San Fernando Street or make a U-turn at Plaza Ruiz to point of destination.

— Light vehicles intending to utilize the stretch of Bonifacio Drive and Roxas Boulevard southbound shall turn around to Anda Circle going to Delpan or Moriones to point of destination.