The city government of Manila suspended classes and government work on Jan. 9 to give way for the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said on Friday.
The class suspension would allow more Manileños to participate in online activities for the Traslacion, Domagoso said in Executive Order No. 01.
“The suspension of classes will not only give the parents and students the time to participate in the religious activities that day but will also give them full access to the use of internet/gadgets and follow the activities at home and avoid crowding in churches,” the order read.
The mayor also prohibited the selling of liquor during Traslacion.
Only 400 churchgoers are allowed to enter the Quiapo Church for each of the 15 masses to be held on Saturday, allowing a total of 6,000 devotees.
The Manila city government in October 2020 nixed the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene due to the Covid-19 pandemic. John Ezekiel J. Hirro