Feast of Black Nazarene Traslacion 2020: Hospitals in Manila in code white alert

All hospitals in Metro Manila are now in Code White Alert in connection with the Feast of Black Nazarene Traslacion 2020 festival tomorrow.

According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, 16 hospitals in Metro Manila are on code white alert. At the same time, 14 health emergency response teams are deployed to strategic areas along the Traslacion route that will respond to emergency medical services to devotees who were expected to participate in the annual event.

Feast of Black Nazarene Translacion 2020 (Image from The Atlantic)

Because of this, Duque called on devotees and those who will join the procession to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. It is also advisable to bring water to prevent dehydration and to avoid carrying gadgets.

For those who are ill as well as pregnant, it is best to stay home.

The DOH declares code white alerts to hospitals during national events, holidays, or celebrations that could result in accidents or emergencies.

Whenever code white alerts are raised, medications, and supplies, especially in need of trauma, are always available.

Doctors also stand by for those who needed immediate medical attention.

Also read: Black Nazarene celebrations expected to attract 19 million

Feast of Black Nazarene Traslacion 2020 Route

For this year, the andas (carriage) of the Black Nazarene will go through the following route:

From Quirino Grandstand, left to Katigbak Drive through Padre Burgos Street
Right to Padre Burgos Street through Finance Road (counterflow)
Left to Finance Road through Ayala Boulevard (counterflow)
Left to Palanca Street
Right to Quezon Boulevard
Right to Arlegui Street
Right to Fraternal Street
Right to Vergara Street
Left to Duque de Alba Street
Left to Castillejos Street
Left to Farnecio Street
Right to Arlegui Street
Left to Nepomuceno Street
Left to Concepcion Aguila Street
Right to Carcer Street
Right to Hidaldo through Plaza del Carmen
Left to Bilibid Viejo through Gil Puyat
Left to J.P. De Guzman Street
Right to Hidalgo Street
Left to Quezon Boulevard
Right to Palanca Street through under Quezon Bridge
Right to Villalobos through Plaza Miranda

Every January 9, millions of Filipinos gather in Manila for a procession of the Black Nazarene, or “Poong itim na Nazareno.” It is a life-sized statue of a suffering Jesus fallen under the weight of the cross, along a 6.5 km route from Rizal (Luneta) Park to the minor basilica in Quiapo.

Most Filipino Catholics consider the Nazarene statue to be miraculous.