MAYOR Nelson Legacion announced that the city government has responded favorably to the request of the Archbishop of Caceres for a strong collaboration in the conduct of the 2025 National Youth Day (NYD) – Caceres, which will be held in the city from June 10 to 14, 2025.
The landmark celebration, which is expected to draw around 7,000 to 10,000 young pilgrims from across the country, will feature a weeklong series of liturgical, cultural, and formative activities.
Among the highlights are the family liturgy and dinner with host families on Day 1, the Traslacion procession with an anticipated crowd of around 16,000, and various youth-centered activities such as plenary formation sessions, workshops, and a cultural night at the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica on the following days.
Legacion also disclosed that a notice of work suspension in government offices is likely to be issued in the afternoon of June 11 before the procession reels off to decongest traffic.
On the final day, June 14, a closing mass and the traditional “pagmanto” will be held, marking the culmination of the event.
To ensure safety and smooth coordination during the large-crowd gathering, the city government has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which will serve as the central hub for inter-agency coordination and logistics.
Mayor Legacion emphasized that while the EOC does not directly command field operations, it plays a critical support role in ensuring the readiness and responsiveness of the Incident Management Team (IMT) and all emergency responders.
An on-scene IMT will also be deployed and will work closely with the Public Safety Office and the Naga City Police Office to manage traffic, crowd control, and general peace and order, especially during the Traslacion procession.
EOC Head Allen Reondanga, who also leads the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said several emergency medical services (EMS) teams will be stationed along the procession routes to respond swiftly to any medical emergencies.
The city and the Archdiocese have identified four major venues for the youth formation sessions, which is going to be conducted on the third day of the celebration:
Ateneo de Naga University – Pacol Campus, Holy Rosary Major Seminary in Barangay Concepcion Grande, Ateneo de Naga University – Bagumbayan Sur Campus, and the
University of Nueva Caceres in Barangay Sta. Cruz.
To support operations, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has approved a ₱1 million allocation from the city’s funds.
“The city has been preparing since last week. This is a continuing effort to ensure the solemnity of the event and the safety and security of our young pilgrims,” Legacion said.
Written by Jason Neola (CEPPIO).
