1 January 2026, Manila City/Quezon City. As the Zero Waste Month is observed this January and as the preparations for the January 9 Feast of Black Nazarene go full blast, a waste and pollution watchdog group exhorted the Roman Catholic Church and the faithful to make this year’s Traslacion trash-free, stressing the responsibility of every person to care for Mother Earth as stewards of God’s Creation.

The EcoWaste Coalition, an advocate for a zero-waste and toxics-free society, expressed its hope that devotees from all walks of life will heed its call for waste prevention and reduction in the mammoth and fervent procession reenacting the Traslacion (transfer) of the image of the Black Nazarene from Intramuros to Quiapo, emphasizing “kalakip ng debosyon ang malinis na Traslacion.”

The group’s call for waste prevention and reduction during the Traslacion is not without merit. Based on figures reported by the Manila Department of Public Services (DPS), 468 and 382 metric tons of garbage were collected during the Traslacion activities from January 6 to 10, 2024, and January 8 to 10, 2025, respectively.

Year after year, the Traslacion consistently leaves a massive trail of garbage along the six-kilometer processional route, sullying the city and keeping the uncomplaining waste and sanitation workers from the DPS, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) busy and exhausted, the EcoWaste Coalition observed.

The group’s Basura Patrollers cited perennial littering at the processional route from Luneta to Quiapo with items such as plastic bottles (empty and sometimes with urine), food containers and packaging, bamboo sticks, food waste, cigarette filters, and disposable vapes carelessly abandoned on streets, sidewalks, and parks for the government and volunteer sweepers to pick up.

“Let our people’s profound faith in Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno inspire us to be better stewards of our planet, preventing and reducing waste and not littering, a punishable environmental offense, at all times but most especially during the Traslacion, a faith-centered feast,” said Ochie Tolentino, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.

“The reckless disposal of single-use plastic bottles, food containers, bamboo skewers, leftovers, butts and vapes degrades our shared environment, contaminating land, air, and water, blocking drains leading to flashfloods, creating breeding grounds for flies, mosquitoes, and rodents, and causing health problems,” she said.

“The unrestrained generation of garbage and its mixed disposal in landfills releases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change that adversely impacts everyone, impoverished and marginalized communities,” she added.

To encourage waste prevention and reduction and discourage unrestrained littering, the EcoWaste Coalition called on the authorities to dispatch environmental police who will remind devotees about proper waste disposal as required by Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

The said law prohibits “the littering, throwing and dumping of waste matters in roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros, parks and other public places,” and penalizes violators with a fine from P300 to P1,000, community service at the local government unit where the offense was committed, or to pay the fine as well as perform community service.

To prevent and reduce waste, the EcoWaste Coalition urged the devotees to heed the following reminders:

1. Abide by the “no littering, no smoking, no vaping” policy of Rizal Park, venue of the traditional “Pahalik” and related liturgical activities.

2. Do not throw any litter in compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003), Environment Code for the City of Manila (Ordinance No. 8371), and MMDA Regulation No. 96-009.

3. Refrain from consuming products in single-use disposable plastic.

4. Dispose of your discards properly, return them to where you got them, or bring them home for proper recycling or disposal.

5. Desist from spitting and urinating in public, and please do not pass water in plastic bottles.

The group further urged benevolent devotees to avoid offering water in single-use plastic bags, bottles, or cups, as well as to desist from giving meals in polystyrene or Styrofoam containers. Go for reusable containers instead.

The EcoWaste Coalition also urged the barangays around the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno not to use plastic “labo” as fiesta banderitas to cut on plastic use and garbage.

“We thank and support the Quiapo Church, the Manila City Government, the Hijos del Nazareno, the Green Brigade, and other agencies and groups for taking all the necessary steps to promote a meaningful, safe and litter-free observance of Traslacion 2026,” the EcoWaste Coalition concluded.