By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

(File photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared Jan. 9 (Thursday) as a special non-working day in the City of Manila, in observance of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.

The holiday declaration was contained in Proclamation 766 signed on Friday.

“The Feast of the Black Nazarene will be celebrated on 09 January 2025, Thursday… Millions of devotees are expected to flock the Quiapo Church and the City of Manila,” the proclamation read.

“In order to ensure orderly procession of devotees and to facilitate the flow of traffic, the City of Manila requests that Thursday, 09 January 2025 be declared a special (non-working) day,” it added.

The route of the annual Jesus Nazareno procession or Traslacion on Jan. 9 this year will remain the same.

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

The National Capital Region Police Office will be deploying over 14,000 officers to secure the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.

The deployment includes 12,168 officers for area and route security and 2,306 personnel who would serve as an augmentation force.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines would also deploy units to assist the Philippine National Police in securing the annual Traslacion. (PNA)