50,000 force multipliers to help cops secure Undas

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) will mobilize over 50,000 force multipliers to help law enforcers in securing the public during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

The PNP is enlisting the support of 57,266 force multipliers consisting of barangay watchmen and peace-keeping action teams, private security guards and civilian volunteers, PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor said yesterday.

Mayor said these force multipliers will assist PNP personnel in law enforcement in cemeteries and memorial parks, bus terminals, sea ports and airports as well as places of worship and vital installations.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II placed the PNP on full alert status starting today.

Roxas earlier said a total of 41,602 policemen would be deployed for “Oplan Ligtas Undas” this year.

The PNP’s emergency hotline Patrol 117 and SMS 0917-847-5757 will remain fully operational, Mayor said.

The National Capital Region Police Office will mobilize patrol teams in coordination with barangay officials to secure homes left unattended by vacationing residents.

Traffic jams

Motorists should brace for monstrous traffic jams as the nation commemorates Undas this weekend.

Both the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway expect a 10 percent to 15 percent surge in traffic starting tomorrow, according to the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC).

“Heavy traffic is expected in the afternoon of Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 at the Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue and Dau toll plazas. On the other hand, traffic at Bocaue toll plaza is likely to become heavier as motorists go back to Metro Manila on Nov. 2 and 3,” the MNTC said.

Ambulant tellers will be on standby at the toll plazas starting tomorrow. Spare lanes will be opened on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Dau and on Nov. 1 and 2 at the Bocaue toll plaza.

Road works along NLEX and SCTEX will be suspended in anticipation of the exodus of motorists to the provinces.

Additional traffic personnel will be deployed at Ciudad De Victoria (Philippine Arena) in NLEX-Bocaue for the Excellence in Visual Media Awards where at least 65,000 people are expected to attend.

Hospitals on alert

Public hospitals nationwide are on “code white alert” during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, Health Undersecretary Janette Garin said yesterday.

Garin said they have placed all hospitals under the Department of Health on alert starting tomorrow until Monday.

“A code white alert is declared when there is a mass gathering or national event, and there is a possibility of emergency situation that may need immediate medical attention,” Garin said.

She said nursing and administrative personnel residing at the hospital dormitory have been placed on an on-call status for immediate mobilization.

Garin added medical teams are on standby to respond to any emergency situation.

She advised those who will visit their departed loved ones to bring their own food and water to avoid dehydration, diarrhea and food poisoning.

“It would be better not to bring along babies and children to cemeteries or memorial parks since they are vulnerable to contracting diseases due to their low resistance to infection, heat and congestion,” Garin said.

Trash-free

Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III yesterday urged Filipinos who will visit their departed relatives this weekend to dispose of their garbage properly.

He made the appeal as Metro Manilans started traveling to the provinces.

“It is about time that every Filipino going to public cemeteries or even private memorial parks be more responsible and careful in handling and disposing of anything that they bring with them to the places of the dead,” Albano said. – With Ding Cervantes, Ramon Lazaro, Mayen Jaymalin, Jess Diaz, Janvic Mateo