3 January 2025, Quezon City. As devotees flock to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno for the First Friday Mass of 2025, an environmental watchdog group appealed to the faithful to join in making the upcoming Traslacion on January 9 litter-free.
The Traslacion, which commemorates the transfer of the revered image of the Black Nazarene from Intramuros to Quiapo way back in 1787, is expected to draw massive crowds in a powerful manifestation of the Catholic faith.
Here are some images of the Traslacion:
“We appeal to all the devotees to manifest their gratitude, affection, and trust to Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno by keeping the feast as respectful and clean as any faith-inspired act should be,” said Ochie Tolentino, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.
The group emphasized that a litter-free and plastic-free conduct of the Traslacion would be an excellent way to observe ‘Zero Waste Month” this January, which also coincides with the 25th anniversary of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act banning littering, among other environmental offenses.
“On January 9, most especially, we urge the devotees to take steps to prevent and reduce the volume of trash, notably single-use plastics, left on the streets for others to pick up and dispose of,” she said. “It is not OK to leave a trail of litter even if there will be people tasked to clean up after you.”
According to the Manila City Government, last year’s Traslacion generated a total of 158 truckloads of garbage amounting to 468 metric tons. From 2020 to 2023, the garbage collected ranged from about 43 to 99 truckloads: 99 in 2023, 43 in 2022, 57 in 2021, and 88 truckloads in 2020.
Based on the EcoWaste Coalition’s monitoring of past Traslacions, the processional route from Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo District is often littered with single-use plastics such as plastic bottles, plastic food containers, plastic bags and wrappers, and cigarette butts, as well as biodegradable discards such as bamboo skewers and food leftovers.
“With COVID-19 pandemic restrictions lifted and everything else has returned to normal, we foresee more trash being generated in this year’s Traslacion,” said Tolentino. “With the midterm elections fast approaching, some political aspirants to score ‘pogi‘ points might even give out free meals and drinks, albeit in disposable plastic or paper containers, which will surely add to the mess.”
“It’s therefore very important for the devotees and all other sectors, including the vendors, volunteers, and the politicos to manifest their concern for the environment by cutting down on single-use plastics and keeping trash to the minimum,” she added.
The group specifically requested the politicos who will do charity work during the Traslacion to give food and water in reusable containers, and to collect back the containers after use so the same can be washed and used again.
The EcoWaste Coalition also reminded political aspirants not to be tempted to distribute propaganda materials or put up tarpaulins along the processional route. Echoing the advice from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the group appealed to all politicos and their supporters not to politicize the Traslacion and refrain from using the religious feast to publicize themselves and woo the voters.
For a cleaner and safer conduct of the Traslacion, the EcoWaste Coalition reminded everyone, especially the devotees of the Black Nazarene, to heed the following reminders:
1. Please don’t be a litterbug; leave no litter behind.
2. Give back to the vendors or donors all beverage and food containers after use.
3. Don’t throw used bamboo sticks for street food anywhere.
4. Refrain from smoking or vaping; don’t toss butts or vapes on the ground.
5. Desist from spitting and urinating in public.
6. Bring a reusable carry bag and avoid single-use plastic bags.
References:
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/01/26/republic-act-no-9003-s-2001/
https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc2014/proc_760_2014.html
About the Traslacion: https://quiapochurch.com.ph/devotion/traslacion/#:~:text=The%20Traslacion%20or%20the%20feast,annually%20every%209th%20of%20January.
