By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA – The cities of Parañaque and Marikina are all prepped up for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.
Parañaque Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez has ordered the deployment of at least 1,190 personnel to help ensure a safe, secure and orderly Undas observance in the city’s four cemeteries.
The deployment will cover Manila Memorial Park-Sucat, Loyola Memorial Park, Himlayang Palanyag and Parañaque Catholic Cemetery under the city’s “Oplan Kaluluwa,” which will run from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.
Olivarez said the city expects an influx of visitors during the Undas long weekend as families gather to remember and honor their departed loved ones.
“Undas is a time for families to come together and pay their respects to those who have passed on. We want our residents and visitors to be able to do so safely and peacefully,” Olivarez said in a statement.
City offices taking part in the operation include the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Traffic Management Office, Civil Security Unit, City Health Office, Engineering Office, Tricycle Regulation Office, General Services Office and Public Affairs Office.
Three barangays nearest the cemeteries will also deploy personnel.
Supporting agencies include the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Philippine Red Cross.
“We are mobilizing our personnel and coordinating with our partner agencies to manage traffic, maintain cleanliness and respond to the needs of the public. We also ask everyone to follow the guidelines and cooperate with our personnel on the ground,” Olivarez said.
For Himlayang Palanyag and the adjacent Parañaque Catholic Cemetery, portions of Tramo Street and A. Bonifacio Street nearest the cemeteries will be closed to motorists. Victor Medina Street will remain open, with one side of its eastbound lane designated for parking.
Parking will not be allowed along any portion of Dr. A. Santos Avenue fronting Loyola Memorial Park and Manila Memorial Park-Sucat.
Vendors selling flowers, candles and other products will not be allowed along the frontages and minor gates of the two memorial parks to keep entrances and exits clear.
The city government is considering allowing vendors to sell at a vacant lot near Loyola Memorial Park.
CENRO has been directed to collect garbage from all four cemeteries in the morning, at noon and in the afternoon.
The Engineering Office will check the electrical systems in the cemeteries to ensure that they are functioning properly, especially at night.
Meanwhile, Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro and First District Rep. Marcy Teodoro inspected five city cemeteries on Thursday to ensure clean, safe and orderly conditions for families visiting their departed loved ones.
Personnel from the PNP, BFP and city government offices joined the inspection to check security, emergency preparedness, traffic management and other measures for the expected influx of visitors.
The city also mobilized its Ligtas na Undas Task Force to oversee cemetery cleanup, security deployment and crowd management.
To help ease traffic near cemeteries, Mayor Teodoro said the local government will implement a one-way eastbound traffic scheme along A. Bonifacio Avenue and Sumulong Highway from 6 a.m. on Oct. 31 until 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 2.
The lady mayor also called on the public to help keep the observance safe and peaceful by following cemetery rules and protocols.
Visitors are reminded not to bring prohibited items, including firearms, sharp objects, alcoholic beverages, and gambling paraphernalia. (PNA)
