Workers at Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park on Saturday prepare for the “National Rally for Peace” to be led by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) on Monday. The event is expected to draw at least 1 million of INC’s estimated 2.8 million members in the country—a relatively smaller flock but seen to be a more solid following behind the sect. INC had said the rally would “support” President Marcos’ stand against the impeachment of his estranged ally, Vice President Sara Duterte. Only on Friday, workers were restoring cleanliness and order at Rizal Park after the annual “traslacion,” or procession of the Black Nazarene, which began before dawn of Thursday at Quirino Grandstand. With 8.1 million people joining this year’s procession, it was the biggest gathering of Black Nazarene devotees since the 6.5 million who took part in last year’s feast, and the longest, at 20 hours and 45 minutes, since the 16-hour-plus ceremony in 2020 attended by 3.1 million devotees. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
CHECKING RICE PRICES
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque (in red jacket) on Friday lead the inspection of stalls selling rice at Murphy Public Market in Cubao, Quezon City. The Department of Agriculture announced that day a maximum of P58 as the suggested retail price (SRP) of imported rice per kilogram, to take effect in Metro Manila markets beginning Jan. 20. This is P2 short of the P60 per kg of imported rice that has been the selling price in public markets. But according to retailers, P60 is too cheap for imported rice, as they point out that local quality grains, such as the “dinorado” and “sinandomeng” varieties, sell at higher prices. Nevertheless, diligent monitoring by the government will be needed to enforce the new SRP for imported rice. —LYN RILLON
BRACE FOR EDSA REHAB
Traffic is relatively light at the Magallanes portion of Edsa on Friday, a week after the heavy volume of vehicles on the beltway during the Christmas season. The Department of Public Works and Highways on Thursday announced a “full rehabilitation” of Edsa for the rest of the year, saying the project had been postponed since 2015 because of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s concern over the traffic congestion that will be caused by major repairs. If a public consultation on the rehabilitation project were to be held, it will likely raise such road safety issues as concrete (instead of plastic) barriers separating the bus lane, median strips or “islands” where there are no pedestrian crossings, and other potential hazards on the beltway. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
