Manaoag: Preparations for the centennial coronation of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag on April 22 this year are in full swing, according to the municipal government. Manaoag Mayor Jeremy Agerico Rosario, in a Wednesday interview, said preparations are about 30 percent complete, with most physical setups underway inside the Minor Basilica. He assured that everything would be ready before the historic event.
According to Philippines News Agency, the event will be attended by nearly 500 priests and bishops from across the country, as well as devotees. Mayor Rosario mentioned that hotels in the area are fully booked since last year, and the overflow of visitors has extended to nearby towns. Special committees are being formed to address security concerns in coordination with the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army, and the Special Weapons and Tactics unit.
One of the biggest challenges being tackled is foot and vehicle traffic, which is being managed by utilizing open spaces around the central business district for parking. Mayor Rosario has requested the provincial government, through Governor Ramon Guico III, to use a portion of the four-hectare land for parking purposes. A truck ban and rerouting plans will also be implemented in the days leading up to the event. Additionally, bus companies operating the Manila-Manaoag-Manila route are being asked to provide point-to-point trips to accommodate the expected decline in private motorists.
The ceremony on April 22 will commence at 9 a.m. in front of the basilica, where a makeshift altar will be constructed. "That's where Our Lady in Manaoag will be coronated, and all the religious and other guests will be here in the patio. We will be putting up LED monitors so everyone can witness the coronation," Rosario said. A procession featuring the real image of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag will also take place.
Mayor Rosario recalled that Do±a Josefa Edralin Marcos, grandmother of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., led the coronation during the golden canonical coronation celebration in 1975. The Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag is regarded as miraculous and attracts many devotees and pilgrims, establishing Manaoag as a leading faith tourism site in Pangasinan.
