By Eva C. Visperas

 

THERE is no doubt that The Basilica Minoré of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Manaoag is the top pilgrims’ destination in Pangasinan in Northern Luzon, particularly during the Holy Week observance.

In Manaoag, the Basilica today is again always full during Holy Masses, even on ordinary days. We see people arriving from different places for thanksgiving or to ask for favors from Mama Mary.

I remember the day when the Basilica was re-opened and COVID pandemic restrictions were slowly eased. I went inside I saw only four persons, including myself, inside the church. There was a deafening silence.

Yes, I felt goosebumps as I was used to seeing so many people, young and old alike, occupying all the seats while many could be seen standing outside the Church hearing Holy Mass.

As days, weeks and months went by, pilgrims were tracing their steps back and were made to fill out forms first before anyone was allowed entry to the church as part of the safety measures versus COVID-19.

Indeed, thank God, we are almost back to normal now and this year’s Mahal na Araw will surely be something to look forward to by the devotees.

Siguradong marami na namang maglalakad or mag bi-bisikleta papunta sa Basilica bilang paraan ng kanilang pag-aayuno, as usual. Thousands are expected to arrive, perhaps double than the weekly 65,000 number of visitors as validated by a survey conducted by the LGU.

Going around the town every now and then to visit, I have seen how business has bloomed, perhaps much better than what it used to before the pandemic. More establishments are opening in Manaoag.

But as the number of faithful arriving continues to grow, the perennial traffic problem and lack of parking spaces are getting worse. The roads in Manaoag are narrow, thus traffic jam is inevitable.

I normally shell out P70 for an hour of parking on a private lot beside the police station on weekdays each time I visit the Basilica. “Walang tawad yan kasi sa simbahan daw dapat humingi ng tawad,” a parking attendant once told me in jest.

I found another parking option along the shortcut route to Mapandan. It’s P50 only but a bit farther.

Mayor Ming Rosario was heard to say in a recent interview that plans, in coordination with Congressman Toff de Venecia’s office and the DPWH, are in place to address the problem.

Sana nga makapagpatayo ng multi-level parking area around the church vicinity. O, pwedeng gamitin yung maluwang na parking area ng national high school at mag-provide na lang ng shuttle bus yung mga magpa-park dun papunta sa Basilica.

Sana isama natin sa panalangin natin ito para mabawasan tayo ng stress sa paghahanap ng parking space. 

There is also a need for more order in the area where vendors sell religious/souvenir items by the roadside. Customers are at risk of being hit by motorists.

Matagal na kasi itong mga problema na ito. Aksyon agad na sana.

Have a meaningful Holy Week observance

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