Visitors entering the Manila North Cemetery early Wednesday morning, October 30, 2024. (Photo from Dianne Sampang/INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — The Manila North Cemetery is ready for the large crowds expected to pay respects to their departed loved ones for the observation of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna said on Wednesday.
Lacuna, who inspected the cemetery and met with officials early in the morning, said the atmosphere there was pleasant. She also shared updates on preparations for Undas 2024.
“Sa paglibot po natin, malinis na po ang North Cemetery. Handang-handa na pong tumanggap sa napakarami nating kababayan na magpupunta simula ngayon hanggang sa November 3,” said Lacuna in an ambush interview.
(Based on our inspection, North Cemetery is already clean. It is now ready to welcome the many people who will be visiting from today until November 3.)
READ: LGUs issue public reminder and guidelines for Undas 2024
Lacuna said the cemetery expects 1.5 million visitors from Wednesday, October 30, until Sunday, November 3. The mayor also noted that 400 police officers will monitor command posts during two shifting periods.
“Syempre may mga bago lang tayong inintroduce depende sa kung ano ‘yung suggestions ng ating mga kababayan sa previous years. ‘Yung nakikita po nating pagkukulang natin,” added Lacuna.
(Of course, we have introduced some new measures based on the suggestions from our fellow citizens in previous years. We are addressing the shortcomings we have observed.)
Lacuna said that in addition to the public comfort rooms in the cemetery, there are also 72 portalets available for visitors. She also said that upon entering the cemetery, kids visiting with adults or parents must have a “tag” in case they get lost.
The mayor added that the visiting period from Wednesday to Sunday will only be from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. to allow time for cleaning before the next day’s visitors arrive.
The Manila Local Government Unit previously informed visitors that the following are prohibited inside the cemetery:
- Vendors
- Firearms and sharp objects
- Alcoholic beverages
- Pets
- Guitars, loud sound systems
- Flammable materials, cigarettes, lighters
- Tarpaulins of private or political groups
“Paalala lang po na ‘clean as you go’ dito pagdalaw niyo at pag-uwi niyo, bitbitin niyo po ang inyong dala dalang mga gamit nang sa gayon ay mapanatili ang lugar na malinis,” Lacuna stated.
(Just a reminder to practice ‘clean as you go’ during your visit and when you leave, please take your belongings with you to help keep the area clean.)
In addition, Police Major Jake Arcilla said that the crowd estimate as of 9 a.m. on Wednesday stood at around 1,200 visitors.
“Hindi pa natin ineexpect ang dami ng tao ngayon. Siguro bukas o sa Friday pa, kung hindi uulan,” he told INQUIRER.net.
(We don’t expect too many people today. We’ll likely see a larger crowd tomorrow or on Friday, as long as it doesn’t rain.)
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Tuesday that Undas 2024 is expected to be rainy and windy in most parts of Luzon as Typhoon Leon moves closer to the northern provinces in the next three days.
READ: Wet, windy ‘Undas’ seen as Leon approaches
In its latest weather bulletin, Pagasa said that Leon developed into a super typhoon. It was last located 360 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan, with a maximum wind speed of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and up to 230 kph gustiness.