Could Filipinos get another holiday just a week after the New Year? If this new bill is approved, they might.
Yesterday, Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas filed House Bill 8812 which seeks to make the Feast of the Black Nazarene, celebrated every Jan. 9 (today!), a special non-working holiday for the whole country, reports state.
The Feast of the Black Nazarene is said to be the grandest religious activity in the Philippines. The highlight of the feast is what is known as the Traslación, a procession of a replica of the Black Nazarene’s statue that starts in Manila’s Quirino Grandstand and ends in the Quiapo Church.
It’s a whole-day affair. Today, devotees started the procession just a little past 5am, radio station Bombo Radyo reported.
The Black Nazarene’s statue is believed to be miraculous by millions of devotees. As of 9am today, the Philippine Star said that more than 1 million people have already joined the event.
Apart from another day off for students and employees, House Bill 8812 also proposes institutionalized coordination between government departments and agencies that are usually in charge of ensuring peace, order, and safety during the anticipated event, GMA News reported.
These will include the Department of National Defense, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, and the Department of Tourism, The Manila Bulletin reported.
Other agencies like the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and National Telecommunications Commission will also be called to join.
The Traslación is a security nightmare. The PNP is on full-alert whenever it is held, even establishing special protocols in areas where the procession will pass. According to the Philippine Star, the military also deployed 2,000 soldiers to the event today.
But accidents are still difficult to avoid. The Philippine Red Cross told radio station Radyo Inquirer that as of 7am today, they’ve attended to more than 300 people, which includes those who had difficulty breathing, fainted, and sustained wounds.
Vargas’ proposed bill will also tap local government units to work with the national departments and agencies.
This year, the only cities in the metro that suspended work or classes today were Manila and Quezon City. This is likely because they are the most affected by the procession’s route.
House Bill 8812 is far from the only instance that has a lawmaker proposing to make a religious event a national holiday. In 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law that made Dec. 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a special non-working holiday.
No wonder the Philippines is said to have one of the most public holidays in the world.
Think the Feast of the Black Nazarene will ever be a special non-working holiday? Do you want it to be one? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @CoconutsManila.
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