THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, better known as “number coding,” will be suspended from October 31 to November 1, both special non-working holidays.
“During the said days, vehicles whose plate numbers end in 1 and 2 and covered by number coding for Mondays and 3 and 4 for Tuesdays are allowed to ply major thoroughfares in Metro Manila,” acting MMDA Chairman Carlo Dimayuga II said.
Dimayuga also announced the suspension of operations of the agency’s Pasig River Ferry Service on November 1. Regular operations of the ferry service will resume on November 2.
Dimayuga said several roads in Manila will be closed and rerouted for Undas beginning October 31.
To be closed in Manila from 10 p.m. on October 31 to November 2 are stretches of Aurora Blvd. from Dimasalang to Rizal Ave., Dimasalang from Makiling to Blumentritt Rd., P. Guevarra from Cavite to Pampanga St., Blumentritt from A. Bonifacio to P. Guevarra St., Retiro from Dimasalang to Blumentritt Ext., and Leonor Rivera from Cavite to Aurora Boulevard.
Dimayuga earlier announced that 1,500 traffic enforcers and personnel from the Road Emergency Group, Metro Parkways Clearing Group, and Task Force Special Operation will be deployed in key areas in Metro Manila as part of “Oplan Undas 2022” from October 28 to November 2.
The MMDA will also implement the “no day off, no absent policy” among traffic enforcers during the period.
The MMDA Road Emergency Group will also set up public assistance centers with tents and ambulances to provide public assistance and rescue services in Metro Manila’s five major cemeteries — Manila North Cemetery, South Cemetery, Loyola Memorial Park, Bagbag Public Cemetery, and San Juan Public Cemetery.
The Baras, Rizal government has banned overnight stay in their cemeteries and will not permit entry to partially vaccinated individuals as preventive measures against COVID-19 during Undas.
Mayor Wilfredo Robles said only fully vaccinated adults will be allowed entry in cemeteries and columbaries in the municipality.
Robles added the vaccination card and a valid ID will also be a requirement for those visiting the gravesites while partially vaccinated minors will only be allowed to enter the cemeteries if accompanied by a fully-vaccinated adult.
The Health Department said members of the vulnerable sector as well as those with symptoms of COVID-19 should forego plans to visit memorial parks this weekend.
“As much as possible, don’t tag along children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and people with comorbidities,” the DOH said in a social media post. “If you are feeling any symptoms of COVID-19 or any other illness, it is better to just stay at home.”
The department also advised the public to continuously wear their face masks when visiting cemeteries and columbaria.
This marks the first time that Filipinos are allowed to observe a long-time tradition since the pandemic was declared in 2020. — With Gerard Naval and Christian Oineza
