The Department of Health (DOH) is mobilizing a significant medical contingent to ensure the safety of millions of devotees expected to participate in the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene this week in Manila.
Major Medical Deployment for Grand Procession
In preparation for the major religious event, the DOH will deploy 200 health emergency response team members to provide immediate medical assistance during the activities, particularly the grand procession or Traslacion on January 9, 2026. DOH spokesman Dr. Albert Domingo confirmed this deployment in a recent radio interview.
These DOH personnel will work alongside partners from local government units (LGUs), the Philippine Red Cross, and other responders from the uniformed services to form a comprehensive medical safety net for the event.
Code White Alert Raised in Key Regions
Complementing the on-ground deployment, the health department is also raising a Code White Alert for the feast. This alert signifies a state of readiness for hospitals, medical personnel, and supplies to respond to emergencies at any time.
Dr. Domingo specified that the alert will be focused on hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon, and Southern Luzon, rather than being implemented nationwide. "Our focus will now shift to the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno. That is why we will again raise a Code White Alert," Domingo stated.
Preparedness for Common and Mass-Casualty Scenarios
The health official outlined the specific medical scenarios for which teams are preparing. These include common ailments experienced during the intense and crowded procession, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), fainting spells, and hypoglycemia.
Furthermore, Domingo emphasized that hospitals are on standby for more severe situations. "Hospitals are also ready in case there is a mass casualty event," he added, underscoring the scale of their preparedness efforts.
The week-long feast is expected to draw millions of faithful to Quiapo Church and the Quirino Grandstand for various religious activities. The highlight, the Traslacion, will see hundreds of thousands of devotees accompanying the iconic image of the Black Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand back to its home in Quiapo Church.
