To ensure the orderly observance of All Saints and All Souls’ Day non November 1 and 2, respectively, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has embarked on clearing operations on roads leading to cemeteries.
MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said that this early, members of Task Force Special Operations are clearing roads already, the while Metro Parkway Clearing Group personnel are sprucing up the vicinity of major cemeteries within Metro Manila.
“We leave the responsibility of cleaning inside cemeteries to local government units. We are also calling on the public to keep cemeteries clean and tidy,” Garcia said.
Once “Oplan Undas 2018” is activated on October 27, more than 2,000 traffic personnel will be deployed on critical areas from morning until evening to ensure the smooth flow of traffic on major thoroughfares and identified traffic-prone areas in the metropolis.
“MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim declared a no day off, no absent policy for MMDA traffic personnel from October 27 to November 3,” said Garcia.
The number coding scheme is suspended on November 1 and 2 declared earlier by the Palace as special non-working holidays.
Garcia called on the public to acquaint themselves of the traffic re-routing schemes that local government units will implement in their respective localities.
Major cemeteries under the MMDA’s watch are Manila North in Manila City, Manila South in Makati City, Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City, Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City, and Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City.
The Road Emergency Group will set up tents for Public Assistance Centers at four cemeteries and dispatch ambulances to provide emergency medical services to cemetery goers.
Also, the Metrobase Command Center has been tasked to help authorities to monitor not only the traffic condition in major roads but also for emergency operations.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (IACT) Chairman Thomas “Tim” M. Orbos is calling on traffic divisions of local government units (LGU) nationwide to prepare a more efficient traffic management system that will address the issues of parking and free flow for the expected high vehicle volume during the Undas long weekend.
“National agencies can do its part but the local government holds more accountability as they are more familiar with the situation in their specific areas of responsibility,” said Orbos.
Orbos also emphasized the need to clear the roads leading to the cemeteries of obstructions to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
“Undas is all about people, not motorists, flocking to cemeteries to be with their departed loved ones. Therefore, our actions should be directed in bringing utmost safety and comfort to them,” he added.