MANILA, Jan. 8 -- The Philippine government assured Wednesday that security measures have been in place for the annual feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila city where hundreds of thousands of devotees are expected to flock to on Thursday.

Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that police and traffic personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety and smooth flow of the Black Nazarene's procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church, both in Manila, a city of Philippine capital of Metro Manila.

He said there is no plan to jam phone signals in areas where the procession will take place since there was no terrorist threat being monitored.

In 2012, the government had to jam phone signals following reports of terrorist attack during the annual feast of the Black Nazarene.

"There is no such plan this year (of jamming the phone signals), " Lacierda said, adding that the authorities will maintain health station at strategic points of the procession route.

On Thursday, devotees of the Black Nazarene are expected to flock to Manila to take part in the almost daylong procession, also known as the grand Traslacion, which highlights the yearly event.