The Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) has been placed on “blue alert” to help ensure the safety and well-being of devotees participating in the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim, who is also concurrent head of the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC), ordered disaster and emergency response units of the MMDRRMC to hoist the blue alert status effective Monday until January 10, 2020.
The MMDRRMC is composed of concerned national government agencies and local risk reduction and management councils of the 16 cities and the lone Municipality of Pateros in Metro Manila.
“Under blue alert, all response clusters and members of the MMDRRMC are placed on standby to respond to any disaster and emergency that may arise.”
“Under blue alert, all response clusters and members of the MMDRRMC are placed on standby to respond to any disaster and emergency that may arise during the observance of the annual religious activity, particularly during the highlight of the feast, the Traslacion,” said Michael Salalima, concurrent chief of staff of the MMDA Office General Manager and Focal Person for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
Meanwhile, Lim inspected the situation at the Quirino Grandstand grounds where devotees line up for the “pahalik” or the kissing of the Black Nazarene image.
“Barriers and steel fences were put in place for the queue of devotees.”
“We have deployed 1,000 MMDA personnel to assist and help maintain order in the religious activity. Barriers and steel fences were put in place for the queue of devotees,” the MMDA chief said.
Emergency and medical assistance shall be rendered by members of the Metropolitan Public Safety Office with the assistance of volunteers who committed to provide first-aid and assistance to those who would be injured.
Traffic enforcers are in charge of managing traffic at the Quirino Grandstand, at the Quiapo Church and conduct clearing operations along the designated route of the procession of the Black Nazarene image.
Members of the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group and Metro Parkways Clearing Group meanwhile are tasked to provide crowd control during the “pahalik” or the kissing of the Black Nazarene image and the clearing of road obstructions along the route of the “Traslacion” or the procession of the image from the Quirino Grandstand back to the Quiapo Church.
Traffic mobile patrols, ambulances, road emergency vehicles, surveillance and communication units, and other necessary vehicles were also positioned in key areas in the City of Manila.