Kalag-Kalag preps in full throttle

CEBU, Philippines — All Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) personnel will no longer be allowed a day off and vacation leave starting on October 28 as part of the preparations for the observance of All Saints and All Souls Day.

CCTO head Raquel Arce made the announcement of the cancellation of day off and vacation leave of traffic enforcers during the convergence meeting at the City Hall yesterday.

Arce said all 500 traffic enforcers of CCTO will be deployed to man the traffic near the cemeteries on All Saints and All Souls Day to ensure a smooth flow of traffic as people are expected to visit their departed family members and friends.

Department of Public Services (DPS) personnel have also started cleaning up public cemeteries.

DPS chief John Paul Gelasque said they started the clearing operation at Carreta Cemetery. He said Pardo and Calamba will come next.

Gelasque said they intend to finish the clearing operations by October 25, a week ahead of the observance of All Saints and All Souls Day. After the event, DPS personnel will also take charge of the after-care cleanup.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will also start installing outposts and help desks on October 28. CCPO director Col. Antonietto Ca ete said full deployment of security personnel will start on October 30.

Aside from the regular policemen, CCPO will also enlist the help of force multipliers such as anti-crime volunteers and barangay tanods to help them in the maintenance of peace and order.

The City Health Department (CHD), for their part, will be assigning doctors and nurses in some cemeteries while City Health Centers in barangays, especially where there are cemeteries, will be opened beyond 5 pm.

The Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) pledged to provide free potable water at the cemeteries.

Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said he will start checking on cemeteries beginning tomorrow, October 18. He is scheduled to visit the public cemeteries of Poblacion Pardo, Calamba, and Carreta.

Expected to join Garcia are Can~ete along officials from CCTO, DPS, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, CHD, and barangay officials. — /FPL (FREEMAN)