Manila, Aug. 28 -- Around 2 million devotees are expected to witness the centennial canonical coronation of the Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag on April 22 next year, and the local government has been preparing for this grand event since last year.

In a phone interview on Thursday, Manaoag town Mayor Jeremy Agerico Rosario said the preparations include security measures, traffic rerouting, and upgrade of facilities.

"We plan to restore the fence around the church with clearance from the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA)," he said.

A clearance from NCCA is needed as the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag is a cultural heritage site.

He said they also plan to set up an altar (platform) in front of the ch...