All hospitals in the National Capital Region will be placed on code white alert from 5 to 11 January in line with the annual Traslacion and the Feast of the Black Nazarene, the Department of Health announced Thursday.

A Code White Alert is declared during national events, holidays, and other large celebrations that could potentially result in mass casualty incidents or emergencies.

During a Code White Alert, medical personnel and staff are placed on standby to immediately receive and treat incoming hospital patients.

The Traslacion, or "Transfer," usually attended by millions of devotees of the Black Nazarene, will be commemorated after a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19. During the event, the Black Nazarene is paraded through the streets of Manila to commemorate its transfer from a church inside Intramuros to the Quiapo Church in the late 1700s.

According to the DoH, eight health emergency response teams, each backed by ambulances, will be strategically deployed along the Traslacion route to provide advanced emergency medical services to the thousands of devotees expected to participate in the event.

The teams will be stationed at key locations — the Quirino Grandstand; Roxas Boulevard corner Ayala Blvd. (National Museum of Fine Arts); Ayala Boulevard corner Taft Avenue (PNU); Ayala Boulevard corner San Marcelino St.; San Sebastian Church; Villarica, Quezon Boulevard; Quinta Market and Paterno, Quezon Boulevard.

"This strategic deployment aims to ensure prompt and efficient emergency medical assistance, covering significant segments and quadrants to enhance the safety and well-being of all participants throughout the event," the DoH said.

The department reminded participants to "observe the necessary precautions and safety measures."

Likewise, the department advised devotees to refrain from touching or kissing figures and statues to prevent communicable diseases. It also reminded them to wear masks.

Devotees were urged to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun to prevent the risk of heat stroke.

To avoid greater health risks due to the expected crowds, the DoH strongly advised the public to consider participating from home.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday declared 9 January a special non-working holiday in the City of Manila in commemoration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

In Proclamation 434, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Marcos said the city-wide holiday would allow Manileños to participate in the activities.

According to the Philippine National Police, around 2.5 million devotees are expected to join the yearly traditional procession.

As part of its preparations, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said some 13,700 policemen would be deployed to key areas and the procession route to ensure the safety of the participants.