METRO Manila residents and visitors on Friday were reminded of a gun and liquor ban that will be imposed in the City of Manila as part of the measures imposed by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to secure the Feast of Black Nazarene 2023.

According to NCRPO Director Major Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo, they are all set for the major religious event expected to be attended by millions of Black Nazarene devotees. The procession has been scrapped since 2020 due to the pandemic brought about by COVID-19.

“It’s all systems go for the Feast of the Black Nazarene,” said the NCRPO chief as he and Manila Police District (MPD) Director Brigadier Gen. Andre P. Dizon led the send-off for security personnel tasked to guard the event on Thursday and called on all devotees and the rest of the public to fully cooperate with them amid the “new normal.”

A total of 5,559 PNP personnel will be deployed in Quiapo Church and Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park to keep peace and order and conduct law enforcement checkpoints, Estomo said.

The official said they are also getting support from at least 175 personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection NCR (BFP-NCR) and the Joint Task Force-NCR of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Estomo said that the vicinity of Quirino Grandstand and Quiapo Church has been declared as “No-Fly Zones” from 12 noon Friday to 12 noon Tuesday. All ports and waterways near the vicinity will also be fully secured.

The NCRPO will likewise impose a liquor ban in Manila from Saturday to Tuesday. At the same time, it has implemented a strict prohibition on the unauthorized carrying of firearms in the city from Thursday to Tuesday.

This after Philippine National Police chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., upon the recommendation of Estomo, ordered the temporary suspension of all Permits-to-Carry-Firearms-Outside-of-Residence (PTCFOR) issued to license gun holders in Manila.

As a result, only members of the PNP, the AFP, and other law enforcement agencies performing official duties and wearing their prescribed uniforms will be allowed to carry their service firearms.

“This is to ensure that the Traslacion will be purged from firearm-related incidents and to ensure the safety of the devotee,” Estomo said.

The official said that the MPD will also ban street vending near Quiapo Church and Quirino Grandstand. Churchgoers are also not allowed to bring or use backpacks or colored canisters.

Only transparent plastic bags and water containers, such as bottled water, will be allowed in the area.

“These measures are obviously to be carried out to preempt anyone who desires to conceal contrabands or other things that could wreak havoc during the event and to further avoid the occurrence of any untoward incidents,” Estomo said.

The MPD also advised the public that traffic rerouting will be enforced in Manila starting Friday (January 6).

Dizon said that from 10 p.m. Friday and onwards, the stretch of Katigbak Drive, the stretch of Independence Road, stretch of South Drive, and the northbound and southbound lanes of Roxas Boulevard will be closed.

From 12:01 a.m. Monday, January 9 and onwards, the following roads will also be closed; the northbound and southbound lanes of Quezon Boulevard from A. Mendoza/Fugoso Street to Quezon Bridge straight to P. Burgos (Park N’ Ride).

The westbound and eastbound lanes of España Boulevard from P. Campa to A. Mendoza; the stretch of Evangelista St. from Plaza San Juan to Claro M. Recto Avenue; the stretch of Raon St. from Evangelista to Quezon Blvd.; the stretch of P. Paterno St. from Quezon Blvd. to Evangelista St.; and the stretch of Carriedo St. from Rizal Avenue to Plaza San Juan.

“Sa nalalapit pong pagdiriwang natin ng Pista ng Itim na Nazareno, pinaaalalahanan po natin ang ating mga kababayan na tayo po nasa ‘new normal’ pa din. Bagama’t may mga deboto po tayong pipiliing manatili sa kanilang mga tahanan upang magdasal at magsimba, asahan pa din po nating marami pa din ang dadalo sa araw na ito. Kung kaya’t hinihingi po namin ang kooperasyon at partisipasyon ng bawat isa. Sumunod po sana tayo sa mga patakaran at mga paalala na ating inihain upang maipagdiwang po natin ang Traslacion ng maayos at payapa,” Estomo said.