PEÑAFRANCIA FESTIVAL: Traslacion stays peaceful 820,000 pilgrims in Naga
By JORDAN DOMINGO
The traditional Traslacion procession of the images of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and Divino Rostro remained peaceful and orderly on Friday, September 11, with an estimated 820,000 voyadores and pilgrims joining the religious event.
The Emergency Operations Center-Incident Management Team (EOC-IMT), together with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), other government agencies, volunteers and other force multipliers, maintained security and public safety throughout the procession.
Raynor Rodriguez, EOC cluster head, said heightened security measures included the deployment of personnel along the procession route and at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, the Old Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, plazas and commercial establishments.
CCTV cameras, drones and Starlink devices were also used to monitor crowds and support communications among security and response units, with CCTV systems of commercial establishments also contributing to the monitoring.
EOC Manager Jose Importante said that the 820,000 crowd estimate was recorded at around 6:00 p.m., 35 minutes before the image of the Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia reached the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral.
The EOC-IMT reported smooth, incident-free operations throughout the procession, while telecommunications services in the area were fully restored by 6 p.m.
Bicol police director Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio and IMT Security Cluster head Police Col. Rizaldy Caballero personally monitored security operations in strategic areas and reminded personnel to remain alert, courteous and responsive to devotees and voyadores, while exercising maximum tolerance.
“The peaceful and orderly conduct of the Traslacion is a shared accomplishment, with the cooperation of devotees, police, local government units, government agencies, volunteers and force multipliers,” Silvio said.
Mayor Leni Robredo thanked the devotees, security personnel, government agencies, volunteers and other groups who helped ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the Traslacion.
She said the successful conduct of the procession showed what could be achieved when government and the community worked together, while emphasizing the need to remain vigilant as other major religious activities, particularly the fluvial procession, are still ahead.
The Philippine Coast Guard will join frontline security and safety operations for the fluvial procession on September 19, which will travel from the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia through the Naga River.
During the final coordination meeting, the IMT Security Cluster said it was preparing for an estimated 2 million pilgrims, devotees and tourists for the fluvial procession.
The Peñafrancia Festival 2026 continues until September 24, featuring religious, civic, cultural and private-led activities, including the Marian Procession and Healing Prayer, Perdon Procession, Dawn Penitential Procession, Tagboan Arts, Music and Food Festival, Civic and Float Parade, Voyadores Festival and Bicol Regional Military Parade Exhibition.
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