Environmental activists call for a "waste-free" observance of the annual feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila. (Photo by Mark Saludes)
The Archdiocese of Manila and environmental groups have urged Filipinos to hold a "clean and safe" celebration of the annual feast of the Black Nazarene.
Father Ricardo Valencia, head of the ecology ministry of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene called on devotees "to show devotion by keeping the environment clean."
The procession of the Black Nazarene, which usually lasts for 20 hours, is the largest procession in the country with more than a million people joining.
Environmental activist group EcoWaste Coalition also urged Filipinos to follow Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, Laudato si’, that calls for the "protection of the common home."
"Let not the creeping throw away culture that Pope Francis has repeatedly denounced disgrace anew our age-old devotion to the Black Nazarene," said Aileen Lucero, coordinator of the environmental group.
Lucero said the religious festival should not turn the entire Manila district into "an immense pile of filth." She said people should heed the papal call for "ecological conversion" by making this year’s feast trash-free.
The environmental group noted that the most discarded items during the Black Nazarene feast are cigarette butts, plastic bags, cups, bottles and straws, polystyrene food and beverage containers, bamboo skewers and food waste.
Last year's procession resulted in at least 315 tons of garbage.
The Philippine military will be installing signal jammers for mobile phones as part of security measures that will be implemented on Jan. 9, the day of the feast that is expected to draw millions of devotees.
"There will be no signals along the route of the procession," said Col. Llewelyn Binasoy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The official, however, said authorities have not detected any security threat.
The entire route of the religious procession will also be declared a "no fly" zone, even for drones.
Garbage bins will also be removed and the drainage systems will be closed to prevent the planting of bombs.
Father Hernando Coronel, rector of the basilica, appealed to devotees to help the church and the government in keeping this year’s feast "the cleanest and safest" event.