AUTHORITIES on Wednesday, January 3, have announced that the route of the procession of the Black Nazarene will go back to the original traslacion which is from St. Augustine Cathedral to the Nazareno Church.
Father Julius Clavero, Nazareno parish priest, said this year's traslacion is important because "this is being faithful to the tradition."
"The biggest change is now going back to original traslacion from Cathedral to Nazareno, mao ni nahitabo three years ago," Clavero said.
But, Clavero emphasized that the meaning and the significance of the one of the major religious events in the city remains which is deepening the faith for the Black Nazarene.
The replica of the Black Nazarene was first housed at the Cathedral when it arrived in the city in 2009, before it was transferred to the Nazareno Church.
During the previous years, the icon was brought to the Pelaez Sports Center for the vigil because of the unavailability of the Cathedral.
Engineer Nonito Oclarit of the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) said from the Cathedral the procession will pass through Fernandez Street, then Velez Street, and will turn right after reaching Licoan junction towards the Nazareno Church along the CM Recto Avenue.
The RTA will implement a re-routing scheme for vehicles travelling at the affected areas.
"Kani nga ruta pare-pareho ra ni sa fiesta nga parade,"Oclarit said.
Oclarit explained that the 2.4-kilometer distance is shorter compared to the procession in the previous years.
The procession will start at 5 a.m. on January 9, and it is expected to last in about two hours.
But, the replica will be brought to the Cathedral the night before the procession for the vigil.
"Mag-expect ta nga sayo-sayo mahuman kay dili pareha sa miaging tuig nga ang liko-liko ang ruta karon mas sayon ang agianan," Oclarit said.
Oclarit also stressed that traffic control is challenging this year because enforcers do not only manage the flow of traffic but as well as help the police in maintaining the security and safety of the devotees.
