Traslacion 2020: What To Expect From This Year’s Feast Of The Black Nazarene Procession

The Quiapo Church, along with some government offices, specifically the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), are working hand in hand to prepare for this year’s Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Church officials, the MMDA and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) held a series of meetingsdiscussing everything regarding the annual procession—including added security along the route of the “andas” or carroza to ensure an orderly procession.

They have also released the final route of the procession, specifically pointing out road closures before, during, and after the celebration.

To every Catholic devotee out there, and to all our fellow commuters, here’s everything that you need to know about Traslacion 2020. From schedules to routes, as well as road closures, keep safe and have a happy Feast of the Black Nazarene!

Route

The 2020 Traslacion procession’s route will be different from last year. There will be a few changes due to various road repairs. The biggest change is the fact that they are passing through the Ayala Bridge, not the Jones Bridge.

Here’s the official route of this year’s Black Nazarene procession:

  • Quirino Grandstand
  • Katigbak Road through Padre Burgos Street
  • Finance Road through Ayala Boulevard
  • Palanca Street
  • Quezon Boulevard
  • Arlegui Street
  • Fraternal Street
  • Vergara Street
  • Duque de Alba Street
  • Castillejos Street
  • Farnecio Street
  • Arlegui Street
  • Nepomuceno Street
  • Concepcion Aguila Street
  • Carcer Street
  • Hidalgo through Plaza Del Carmen
  • Bilibid Viejo through Gil Puyat
  • J.P. De Guzman Street
  • Hidalgo Street
  • Quezon Boulevard
  • Palanca Street through under Quezon Bridge
  • Villalobos through Plaza Miranda
  • Quiapo Church

Starting January, the following streets are being closed off by 20-footer container vans for the duration of the Traslacion. The corners of:

  • Roxas Boulevard and Katigbak Drive
  • Taft Avenue and Padre Burgos Avenue
  • Padre Burgos Avenue and Finance Road
  • General Solano Street and Nepomuceno

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Security features

Among the security features recommended by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were the setting up of barbed wires along the high structures of Ayala Bridge, with added posters reminding the devotees that climbing on the said bridge is strictly prohibited for their safety; closure of certain roads with the use 20-footer container vans; at least 1,000 MMDA personnel to be deployed; and two lines of police officers guarding the carroza.

There will also be volunteers working in partnership with the Metro Public Safety Office (MPSO) who will be committed to providing first-aid treatment and rescue and emergency responses if needed.

Fences, plastic barriers, and tents are currently being set up at Quirino Grandstand which will be the venue for several activities including the “pahalik,” procession of Black Nazarene replicas, vigil, and Eucharistic Celebration.

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Schedule of activities

January 7, 2020 (Tuesday)

  • 2 PM – Replica procession and blessing

January 8, 2020 (Wednesday)

  • Start of vigil at “pahalik” area (Quiapo Church)
    • 3 PM – Opening program
    • 5 PM – Panalangin sa takipsilim
    • 7 PM – Start of program

January 9, 2020 (Thursday)

  • 12 MN – Virgil Mass at Quirino Grandstand, Luneta
  • 5 AM – Panalangin sa umaga
  • 5:30 AM – Start of Traslacion

Hourly masses at Quiapo Church

  • 3 AM – 12:15 PM
  • 3 PM – 12 MN

Schedule of road closures

January 8, 2020

  • Starting 9 PM
    • The southbound lane of Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to Katigbak Drive
    • Northbound and Southbound lanes of Roxas Boulevard from Katigbak to United Nations Avenue
    • Stretch of Padre Burgos from Roxas Boulevard to Jones Bridge
    • MacArthur Bridge and Quezon Bridge
    • Northbound and Southbound lanes of Maria Orosa from T.M. Kalaw to Padre Burgos

January 9, 2020

  • Starting 12:01 AM
    • Taft Avenue to Jones Bridge
    • MacArthur Bridge and Quezon Bridge
    • Northbound and Southbound lanes of Taft Avenue from T.M. Kalaw to Ayala Boulevard
    • Stretch of San Marcelino from N.A. Lopez to United Nations Avenue

Other road closures

  • Romualdez from United Nations Avenue to N.A. Lopez Street
  • Stretch of P. Casal from C. Palanca to Rafael
  • Palanca Street from Plaza Lacson to Quiapo Ilalim
  • The southbound lane of Quezon Boulevard from Fugoso Street to Quezon Bridge
  • Westbound lane of España Boulevard from P. Campa to Lerma Street

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Rerouting

Here are the recommended alternate routes:

  • Vehicles coming from Rizal Avenue going to Lawton, Intramuros, and Pier Zone should take Dasmariñas or go straight to MacArthur Bridge, then turn right to Magallanes Drive Extension, then right to Jones Bridge to point of destination.
  • Vehicles coming from Jose Abad Santos via Reina Regente going to Intramuros should utilize Juan Luna Street to Plaza Cervantes to Jones Bridge, then right to Magallanes Drive to point of destination.
  • Vehicles traveling from the Southbound lane of Mel Lopez Boulevard (R-10) going to Roxas Boulevard should turn left to Moriones Street, then straight ti Dagupan Street to point of destination.
  • Light vehicles coming from the Northbound lane of Taft Avenue going to Quiapo-Sta. Cruz area should turn right to United Nations Avenue straight to Paz Guanzon, then left to Mabini Bridge to point of destination.
  • Vehicles coming from Quezon City using the Southbound lane of España Avenue should turn right to Padre Campa Street, then turn left to A. Mendoza Street, then right to Fugoso Street, then left to Rizal Avenue or Nicanor Reyes Street, then right to CM Recto Avenue to point of destination.
  • Vehicles coming from Legarda Street should turn right to CM Recto Avenue to point of destination.
  • Vehicles coming from the Northern part of Manila going North via Roxas Boulevard should use Capulong-Tayuman-A.H. Lacson-Nagtahan flyover to Mabino Bridge to point of destination.
  • Light vehicles coming from the Southern part of Manila going North via Roxas Boulevard should turn right to United Nations Avenue, then straight to Paz Guanzon, then left to Mabini Bridge to Nagtahan flyover, to A.H Lacson to point of destination.

Other sources: Quiapo Church, MMDA Facebook