(As people throng cemeteries) Public reminded: Mind your safety

CEBU, Philippines — Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Anthony A. Aberin yesterday reminded the public to be mindful of their safety at all times, especially those going home to their respective provinces or towns to pay respect for their departed loved ones.

This, as police authorities observed heightened alert until November 4, which Aberin said could be extended “depending on the circumstances,” and local executives set guidelines in observing All Saints’ Day today and All Souls’ Day tomorrow for the safety and security of all.

In particular, Aberin urged the public not to bring anything or objects that are prohibited inside the cemetery like bladed weapons, alcoholic beverages, sound system, among others.

“So far as of this hour yong assessment natin wala pa tayong any reported incidents,” he said, in an interview around 1 p.m. yesterday after his inspection of the Cebu South Bus Terminal.

He also conducted an ocular inspection of the Calamba Cemetery and the Carreta Cemetery in Cebu City.

Similarly, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia also visited Cebu City cemeteries yesterday to likewise check on the security preparations and other concerns, which are covered by Executive Order 11 he issued as early as last Monday following a series of convergence meetings of members of the “Kalagkalag Action Force 2024.”

The Action Force was formed to conduct risk assessment of cemeteries for policy formulation and proper planning of activities and plot guidelines for traffic management, emergency preparedness and response, foot patrol, law enforcement visibility, advance party and aftercare procedures, and crowd control initiatives, among others.

The Action Force is composed of representatives from the Office of the Mayor, Office of the City Administrator, Department of General Services, Department of Public Services, Cebu City Transportation Office, City Health Department, Cebu City Medical Center, Task Force Kasaligan, Cebu City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office, Cebu City Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement Team; and the Peace and Order Program.

The members are expected to “coordinate resources and address any contingent or probable concerns and other functions that are necessary to ensure safe and successful Kalagkalag 2024.”

The same EO also set that those who wish to visit cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaries within the City of Cebu from Oct. 30 to Nov. 4, 2024 may do so from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. only.

It, however, stated that the cemetery management and administrators have the “discretion and supervision of all persons and items allowed inside their respective cemetery, memorial park, or columbary at any given time, subject to specified guidelines as may be promulgated by competent authorities”.

The EO also stated that “selling of candles, flowers, and such other complements inside the premises of the cemeteries, among others, is allowed as long as they (vendors) do it in designated areas.”

The EO likewise sets that “parking of vehicles inside the cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaries are not allowed.” Car owners need not fret, though, because designated parking areas have been identified.

In Cordova town in Mactan Island, Mayor Cesar “Didoy” Suan similarly issued an EO establishing guidelines and safety protocols during the said observance, to ensure the safety of the public in going to the cemeteries to observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day,

Under EO 32, cemeteries should be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and tomorrow, with visitors observing a “One Entrance, One Exit Policy”.

Suan also ordered that overnight should not be allowed and likewise prohibited loud music or karaoke, any kind of gambling materials, alcoholic drinks, firearms, and pointed objects inside cemeteries.

Per his EO, no vendors are allowed inside the cemeteries, except for those who have secured a permit from the Mayor’s Office, upon submission of requirements set by the Business Permit and Licensing Office.

The vendors, though, designated areas outside the cemeteries for them, as they are encouraged to observe proper waste disposal and apply the “Clean as you go” system.

The local government unit (LGU) also released a traffic advisory in the town as preparation for the influx of visitors in the cemeteries. Cogon Road, G. Jumao-as Road, and L. Jumao-as Road are especially affected, with vehicles from Barangay Cogon turning right to G. Jumao-as before proceeding to K. Dagami highway.

Private vehicles going to Cordova Public Cemetery are allowed to enter corner S. Baguio and L. Jumao-as streets in proceeding to the Cogon Barangay Road.

The loading and unloading of passengers at the entrance and exit of the Cordova Public Cemetery is not allowed, though, to avoid traffic congestion.

As to trucks and delivery trucks, they are not allowed to enter L. Jumao-as Road, although they can use the K. Dagami highway at the Poblacion crossroad as an alternative route.

“Ang mga heavy tonnage trucks susama sa dump trucks, trailers, ug mixer trucks makaagi lamang sa gikan 10 p.m. hangtod 5 a.m. o mamahimong mogamit sa alternate route via Pilipog-Gabi Coastal Road ug Centennial Avenue,” the LGU said. — Le Phyllis F. Antojado/RHM (FREEMAN)