THE Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) has finalized its security set-up for the upcoming Traslacion of the Black Nazarene on January 9.
In coordination with the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao, Roads and Transport Authority and the Nazareno Parish Church, the Cocpo will provide area security inside the church and its immediate vicinity, and route security coverage along the major streets of the city where the procession will pass through.
According to Police Superintendent Robert delos Reyes, 836 uniformed personnel will be deployed to secure the safety of the parishioners, participants and devotees.
The Cocpo also coordinated with the Barangay Tanod Development Committee and civilian volunteers for additional manpower, especially with the expected increase of devotees and participants this year, Delos Reyes added.
“Sana maging maayos ang ating pag celebrate ng Black Nazarene. Sana mas marami pa ang magpunta ngayon dahil makakabuti ito sa image ng Cagayan de Oro, We hope that the celebration of Black Nazarene will go well. We hope that a lot would come because this will be a good image for Cagayan de Oro),” Delos Reyes said.
This year's observance of the fiesta of the Black Nazarene will have four major activities: transfer of the Black Nazarene from Nazareno Parish Church to San Augustine Cathedral on January 8; overnight activity at San Augustine Cathedral (last Novena Mass at 8 p.m.; Pahalik; opening salvo and homage to Black Nazarene); Traslacion (procession of the Black Nazarene from San Augustine Cathedral to Nazareno Parish Church) on January 9; and Holy Mass.
Delos Reyes said the police, barangay tanods and civilian volunteers will provide the security for the areas affected by the activities slated during the celebration of the fiesta of the Black Nazarene.
Those who are attending the Traslacion are advised to refrain from using selfie sticks to avoid causing injury and to avoid bringing valuables such as jewelries, cellphones and large amount of money.
“At kung pwede yung mga may sakit, yung mga may edad at medyo bata, ayaw na lang pag apil sa prosisyon,” Delos Reyes said.
The Feast of the Black Nazarene is expected to draw more people and devotees not only from those in Cagayan de Oro but also outside the city.
“These are matters of faith sa mga tao. Makatabang ni sa ilahang pagtubo, sa ilahang ispirituanon nga mga kinabuhi. Kini magtudlo sa ato nga makakita gyud sila og daghang nga grasya sa pag debosyon sa mahal na Nazareno kay gawas nga magbalik-balik sila kada tuig, mas nidaghan pa gyud,” Father Julius Clavero, Nazareno Parish Priest, said.
Clavero added that they also tied up with the Department of Tourism-Northern Mindanao for promotion as the Nazareno Shrine is one of the local pilgrimages and religious sites in Cagayan de Oro City.