THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said it has collected seven truckloads of garbage from 26 cemeteries in Metro Manila equivalent to 24.2 tons of trash during the commemoration of All Saints’ Day.
This despite the agency’s information campaign, supported by local government units, for those paying respects to their departed loved ones not to throw their thrash haphazardly.
“Total garbage collected per cubic meter is 85.2 cubic meters. Total volume of garbage collected is 24.2 tons, equivalent to seven truckloads,” MMDA PIO chief Sharon Gentalian said.
Gentalian added the volume could be higher as MMDA personnel were only tasked to remove garbage outside of cemeteries.
Data from the Manila city government’s Department of Public Safety said from October 28 to 31, a total of 518 cubic meters of thrash were collected at the Manila North and South cemeteries.
This is slightly up from the 477 cubic meters collected during the same period in 2019 or before the pandemic.
The Manila North cemetery yielded 308 cubic meters of garbage while 210 cubic meters were collected at the Manila South cemetery.
‘GENERALLY PEACEFUL’
PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the observance of All Saints’ Day or Undas was generally peaceful, except for a couple of minor incidents.
“Undas 2022, as the national observance of All Saints’ Day this year, was generally peaceful and orderly,” Azurin said in a statement yesterday.
Azurin said an “appropriate number” of policemen had been assigned to 6,047 Public Assistance Desks in cemeteries and memorial parks and Public Assistance Centers in land, sea and air transportation hubs prior to Undas.
“These police units will remain in their posts until public activity has returned to normal,” said Azurin.
“Aside from minor incidents reported by different police regional offices, no significant untoward incidents were monitored nationwide,” he said.
He said the only “minor incidents” reported was the death of a male person due to electrocution at the Eternal Peace Memorial Park in Barangay Dau in Mabalacat City in Pampanga and the arrest of Mowwamar Mama Kasan for possession of a cal. 22 revolver with two bullets at the Palanyag Cemetery in San Dionisio, Parañaque City.
He commended police units, partner agencies, non-government organizations, local government units and volunteers “for making this happen.”
“These best practices shall henceforth be our template in similar public safety operations for upcoming major public events,” Azurin said.
The National Capital Region Police Office said six individuals were arrested at cemeteries and vicinity in Metro Manila, including Kasan.
At the Manila Memorial Park, four were arrested for allegedly drinking liquor and firing a gun inside the cemetery last Tuesday. They were identified as Danilo Conot, 56; Leoniee Carpio, 29; Gregorio Donor III, 30; and John Kennedy B Ibañez, 22.
The NCRPO said Cesar Joveda, 40, was arrested for possession of a cal. 38 revolver during a police visibility and anti-criminality operation in connection with Undas in Pateros town last Monday morning.
Before his arrest, Joveda, aboard a Toyota Avanza, figured in a gun-toting incident in Barangay Magtangol that was promptly reported to the police.
Joveda’s vehicle was spotted by policemen in Barangay San Roque, prompting them to give a chase, until Joveda was cornered at Pateros Bridge in Barangay Magtangol.
Policemen seized from Joveda a cal. 38 revolver and five bullets.
Stressing the generally peaceful and orderly observance of Undas, PNP public information office chief Col. Redrico Maranan said: “Everything went well according to plan.”
The PNP declared a nationwide full alert status last October 29. It is supposed to end on Friday.
PNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo said the PNP chief has given regional police directors the discretion to extend the full alert status beyond Friday.
“They have the discretion to extend the heightened alert status in their respective AOR (areas of responsibility) if needed, especially in areas hit by (typhoon) Paeng,” said Fajardo.
“Search and retrieval operations and relief operations in these areas are still ongoing,” said Fajardo, adding extending the full alert status in these areas will mean policemen will be ready to help concerned agencies in providing help to those affected. — With Victor Reyes
