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Manila, Philippines Instead of passing through MacArthur Bridge, this years grand Traslacion procession of the Black Nazarene will pass through Jones Bridge amid safety concerns.

Msgr. Clemente Ignacio, rector of Quiapo Church, made the announcement yesterday as thousands of devotees from around the country of the revered Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno are expected to join the procession of replicas of the Black Nazarene at 3 p.m. today through the streets of Quiapo, Manila, as a prelude to the 407th grand Traslacion procession on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Ignacio said the change in the processions traditional route was for the safety of the devotees. This is for the safety of our devotees because we know that the structure of the MacArthur Bridge is problematic, he said in a press briefing yesterday.

Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Romeo Momo earlier warned on the structural integrity of MacArthur Bridge, noting that the structure has minor cracks and is subject for retrofitting.

In the same press conference, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said Jones Bridge will be safer for devotees since it was recently retrofitted.

From Jones Bridge, the procession will turn left to Escolta then right to Palanca St.

Ignacio, however, admitted that the slight change in the traditional route will result in longer procession time.

Last year, the procession lasted for nine hours, so maybe with this change we will add another two to three hours, he said.

Bigger Crowd Expected

Organizers are expecting a bigger crowd this year due to the series of calamities that struck the country in 2013. Since the first day of the year, busloads of devotees have begun to arrive at the Quiapo Church (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene) to attend the parish thanksgiving mass and procession last Jan. 1, as well as the First Friday masses last Jan. 3.

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Nazarene Procession route changed on safety grounds