Basilica gears up for start of novena

Anticipating thousands of devotees to attend the novena for the feast of Sr. Santo Niño starting this Thursday, Basilica del Sto. Niño officials have teamed up with the health department and other groups to ensure a safe fiesta celebration.

A medical team will be on stand by at the basilica grounds during the novena period to assist devotees who would need immediate medical attention. A group of students will also be setting up a station at the basilica entrance where one can have his or her blood pressure checked.

There will also be more security guards who will patrol the church’s vicinity to ensure that the devotees will be safe from unscrupulous persons. Basilica officials said more than 20 security guards will be deployed as soon as the novena starts to keep order inside the church.

Entry and exit points at the basilica have also been modified to ensure an orderly flow of devotees in and out of the church. — Jasmin R. Uy/QSB