THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday said it will be on heightened alert from October 31 up to November 5 in connection with the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day or “Undas.”
In a statement, the PCG said Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan has directed all Coast Guard operating units to be on alert status during the period to ensure the safety of the riding public.
“PCG Districts, Stations, and Sub-Stations shall intensify the safety, security, reliability, and comfort of the riding public amid Undas 2024,” the PCG said.
It said help desks will be established in all ports, harbors and other public transportation areas nationwide in collaboration with agencies under the Department of Transportation.
“Coast Guard K9 units and security teams will conduct inspections to uphold the safety and security of maritime public before, during and after Undas,” the PCG also said.
It said medical teams will also be deployed to provide medical assistance to passengers.
“Coast Guard rescuers and lifeguards will also be stations in beaches, island resorts, and other coastal vacation spots to uphold public safety,” the PCG added.
Caloocan City Mayor Dale Malapitan has also issued an advisory to ensure peace and order during Undas.
Malapitan said cemeteries in the city will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on October 30 up to November 2. He said cleaning of tombs will be allowed until October 29.
Malapit said the public should observe the designated entry and exit points and avoid bringing their vehicles inside cemeteries.
Bladed and pointed objects, including knives and ice picks, are prohibited inside cemeteries.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday urged those who will trek to the provinces during Undas to buy their tickets early to prevent build-up in bus terminals and ports.
MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director for Enforcement Victor Nunez issued the appeal, saying the agency expects “hundreds of thousands” of people to troop to bus terminals and ports to go to their respective provinces for Undas.
“It is usual for Filipinos to go to ports and bus terminals without reservation tickets, hoping to become chance passengers,” Nunez told the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon forum.
“They should plan their travels well and make sure they have already bought their tickets. We encounter problems and build up when they go to ports and terminals without their tickets,” he said.
Nunez said the MMDA is already preparing for Undas, particularly in traffic management, in cooperation with the 17 local government units in Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office, Highway Patrol Group and other government agencies.
He said particular emphasis will be on the deployment of traffic enforcers in roadways going to major cemeteries and bus terminals.
“We will deploy 1, 257 traffic enforcers and we will also implement a no day-off, no absent and no leave policy among our enforcers,” Nunez added.
He said the MMDA’s command center in Pasig City will also monitor round-the-clock the traffic flow in the metropolis.
“We also coordinated with the management of major bus terminals in Quezon City, Caloocan, Pasay, Manila and the PITX integrated terminal in Paranaque City.
“We are expecting hundreds of thousands of passengers to troop to their respective provinces,” he said.
He said the 17 LGUs in Metro Manila have until October 25 to submit their respective traffic management plans to the MMDA, especially if they would implement road closures near cemeteries in their jurisdictions. — With Ashzel Hachero
