EcoWaste urges trash-free traslacion

MANILA, Philippines — Ahead of the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9, environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition yesterday appealed to devotees to make this year’s traslacion trash-free.

In a statement, the EcoWaste said maintaining a clean environment should be part of the devotion of those who will join the traslacion or the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.

“Let our people’s faith in Jesus Nazareno inspires us to be better stewards of our planet, preventing and reducing waste and not littering at all times,” EcoWaste’s Zero Waste campaigner Ochie Tolentino said.

The group lamented that year after year, participants of the traslacion leave piles of garbage along the 5.8-kilometer processional route.

EcoWaste cited figures from the Manila Department of Public Services, which showed that 468 and 382 metric tons of garbage were collected during the traslacion from Jan. 6 to 10, 2024 and from Jan. 8 to 10, 2025, respectively.

Based on reports of the EcoWaste’s basura patrollers, the common litters along the processional route are single-use plastic bottles, food containers and packaging, bamboo sticks, food waste, cigarette filters and disposable vapes.

To discourage unrestrained littering, the EcoWaste called on authorities to dispatch environmental police who will remind devotees about proper waste disposal as required under Republic Act 9003.

The law prohibits littering, throwing and dumping of waste on roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros, parks and other public places.

Violators face a fine of P300 up to P1,000 or community service in the city where the offense was committed.