LOCAL Government Secretary Benhur Abalos yesterday conducted an ocular inspection at the Quiapo area for the Traslacion 2024 where he declared that security preparations and coordination between the uniformed personnel are in place.

According to Abalos, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) the so-called volunteers and force multipliers of Manila have already been versed well in their respective roles and are 100 percent prepared for the annual celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

A total of 15,000 uniformed personnel will be deployed in almost all corners and path of the traditional parade for the safety of the estimated 2.3 million devotees.

Abalos in an interview said that all the public and the religious followers have to do is cooperate and follow the directives coming from the authorities.

The DILG chief was accompanied by the PNP chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr., National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., BFP chief Director Louie Puracan and BFP-NCR director Chief Supt. Nahum Tarroza in touring the church vicinity Monday morning.

According to Abalos, a control room with closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras was set up to exclusively monitor the entire parade of the Black Nazarene and the activities around.

“Kitang-kita yan, lahat ng ruta, kumpleto ito, mga pulis, pati mga medical equipment na kailangan, lahat kumpleto po ito, and masasabi ko, 100 percent and kapulisan, and AFP, ang Fire, and MMDA, lalo na ang City of Manila, lahat po ng ahensya ng national government,” he added.

He assured that the barefoot devotees will have no problems regarding the potholes and other destructions they may encounter along the way during the entire traditional Traslacion process.

“Sinuyod po yan ng MMDA, ating kapulisan, to make sure,” he said.

Abalos reminded the devotees and participants of the things that they should not do such as wearing of cap and hoodie jacket, refraining from bringing backpacks, water bottle, umbrella and raincoats, firecrackers, and pyrotechnics and most especially deadly and bladed weapons.

Intoxicated persons are not allowed to join the parade while the no-fly zone and no drone zone will be implemented within the vicinity.

Fire Director Puracan said that close to 2,000 firefighters will be deployed to augment the PNP and the AFP but will be tasked mainly for the medication and emergency side.

Eight medical stations with first aiders, firetrucks and ambulances will also be positioned in strategic places in anticipation for any health emergencies.