Public urged to visit cemeteries before ‘Undas’

EARLY FOR ‘UNDAS’ A family visits a loved one’s gravesite at an Antipolo City memorial park in Rizal province —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Philippine National Police on Friday urged the public to pay an early visit to their departed loved ones to avoid the influx of people during the nationwide observance of “Undas” or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

“This coming Saturday, Sunday and Monday are the best days to consider when planning to visit cemeteries, memorial parks, columbaria and other holiday places of convergence to avoid crowding,” Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., chief of the PNP, said in a statement.

Azurin reminded the public to be mindful of operating hours, traffic routes, weather conditions and other environmental and situational factors when planning for different activities.

“Plan your drive and drive your plan,” the PNP chief said. The reminder was especially for motorists traveling to the provinces to take extra precaution especially in areas under wind signals and rainfall alerts due to Tropical Storm “Paeng” (international name: Nalgae).

The PNP was placed on full alert as early as Monday to secure the influx of people going to cemeteries and going outside of Metro Manila for the incoming long weekend, including the observation of All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2.

Azurin said 85 percent of the more than 220,000 entire PNP force would be deployed “to ensure the availability of police personnel and resources for public safety and security operations for this forthcoming four-day holiday.”

Also on Friday, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said a total of 11,666 personnel will be deployed in 128 cemeteries, columbaria and memorial parks, 32 major thoroughfares, 133 transportation hubs/terminals and 142 other places of convergence in Metro Manila.

In Quezon City, around 4,000 police personnel were deployed to secure areas where the public is expected to converge during All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said.

From Oct. 28 to Nov. 3, QCPD Director Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the authorities will ensure public safety and the implementation of minimum public health standards by the Inter-Agency Task Force.

Assistance desks will be installed in all cemeteries and columbariums within the city to offer the public assistance and for other surveillance and police work as well.

The police district also enforced the 122 emergency hotline for people in need of assistance and other concerns that need immediate attention and help.

READ: Undas 2022: What to keep in mind when joining crowds in cemeteries, columbaria