PBBM declares Jan. 9 holiday in Manila for Traslacion

FILE: The replica of the Black Nazarene stays at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila after an early morning mass on Sunday (Jan. 8, 2023). The traditional Traslacion (transfer) procession to the Quiapo Church was replaced by a “Walk of Faith” that finished in less than two hours and was attended by about 90,000 people sans the Black Nazarene, whose feast is celebrated every Jan. 9. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared January 9 as a special non-working day in the City of Manila given the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Under Proclamation 434 inked by Marcos on Thursday, Jan. 9 is declared a holiday to allow devotees to take part in the activities related to the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

“On 09 January 2024, Tuesday, the City of Manila will mark the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene,” the proclamation read.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Manila be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,” it added.

Organizers of the 2024 Feast of the Black Nazarene Traslacion (transfer) announced last December that the same route used during the 2020 grand procession would be followed.

The procession will start from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park and up to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church along Quezon Boulevard.

It would mark the first time the Traslacion will return to its old format after the celebration was suspended from 2021 to 2023 because of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Last year, a “Walk of Faith” was held at the Quiapo Church without the Traslacion and lured 1.2 million devotees over two days.