THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority collected 12 truckloads of garbage from cemeteries in Metro Manila before, during, and after the commemoration of Undas.
Data provided by the MMDA showed the garbage collected from October 26 to November 4 was “equivalent to 2, 347 garbage bags or 50 metric tons.”
The agency deployed 380 personnel from its Parkway Clearing Group to collect, remove and clean up more than 20 public cemeteries during Undas.
The volume of garbage collected disappointed the agency because it and various environmental organizations, and even the management of cemeteries, urged people not to dump or leave waste at cemeteries during the annual observation.
This year’s figure is higher than the 33 tons collected last year and the 2022 figure of 24.2 tons.
RED CROSS FIGURES
More than 11,000 individuals sought medical assistance from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) during the observance of Undas.
In a statement, the PRC reported that 11,429 individuals were given medical assistance by their first aid stations across the country.
“Our presence in the cemeteries, highways, ports, and other places gave comfort to our fellow Filipinos, knowing someone will answer when they call for help,” PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang said.
The PRC said 11,017 individuals availed of the free vital signs checking (like blood pressure taking) services at the PRC’s first aid stations.
Emergency medical service (EMS) teams also treated 357 patients with minor injuries such as bruises, burns, headaches, hypertension, heat exhaustion, nausea, and nose bleeds.
The Red Cross said there 25 persons suffered major cases like abdominal pain, mild stroke, and seizures, adding that 30 more needing urgent medical attention were transported to nearby hospitals.
The PRC set up 359 first aid stations manned by 2,548 first aiders mobilized for the observance of Undas 2024. – With Gerard Naval
