MISTY. The Black Nazarene is a bit blurry due to condensation as light rains marked the start of the "Traslacion" that started from the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Tuesday (Jan. 9, 2024). The religious gathering that is also the Quiapo feast day is the most popular in the country. (PNA photo by Benjamin Pulta)
MANILA – A total of 382 devotees participating in the Feast of the Black Nazarene have sought medical help as of 11 a.m Tuesday.
In its latest update, the Philippine Red Cross said it responded to 155 patients for vital signs, 135 for minor injuries and five for major injuries.
The minor cases included abrasion, puncture, laceration, dizziness, burn, avulsion, and abdominal pain.
Meanwhile, the major cases included head trauma (swelling), laceration, incision, and fainting.
About 16 patients were transported to the PRC Emergency Field Hospital while five were sent to the Philippine General Hospital.
Patients who were transported to the PRC Emergency Field Hospital suffered from fever, cough, dizziness, body weakness, vomiting, ankle sprain, chest pain, and numbness.
A pregnant patient who experienced abdominal pain was transported to a medical facility.
Six patients received welfare assistance or psychosocial first aid and 60 received hot meals.
The PRC deployed 10 first aid stations, eight welfare desks, one emergency field hospital, 13 ambulances, one fire truck, one food truck, one rescue boat and 319 volunteers.
Senate work
Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has ordered the shortening of work hours until 2 p.m. on Tuesday due to the Traslacion.
In an advisory, the Senate shortened the working hours to give time to the employees to attend the festivities.
However, all ongoing hearings, technical working groups and other meetings may continue and assigned Senate staff for these hearings may still help unless directed by the chairperson of the panel.
Staff members under the Office of the Sergeant-At- Arms and the Maintenance and General Services Bureau who follow shifting schedules, are excluded in the shortened work hours.
The Senate of the Philippines is located at the GSIS Building in Pasay City which is adjacent to Manila where the Traslacion is currently being held. (with a report from Leonel Abasola/PNA)
