Philippine cities are currently in the thick of preparations for the upcoming observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on 1st and 2nd November.
Several urban centres have already released safety and security guidelines for the upcoming long weekend, citing measures to maintain peace, cleanliness and order in all public and private cemeteries from 30th October to 2nd November.
At present, seaports, airports, and land transport terminals are beefing up security measures in anticipation of the annual holiday exodus as Filipinos flock home to their native provinces to pay homage to deceased relatives.
In Manila, acting transportation secretary Giovanni Z Lopez has been conducting daily inspections of bus terminals servicing provincial routes, and has already shuttered several illegal terminals in the capital that sought to take advantage of the holiday rush.
Likewise, local government units are doing dry runs at public cemeteries to ensure the proper flow of crowds, as well as the safety of women, children, and the elderly.
Preparations in the north
In the tourism-centric city of Baguio in the northern part of the country, local families may clean and repaint tombs only until 29th October as cleaning materials, paint and similar tools will be banned inside cemeteries from 30th October.
Gaudencio Gonzales, supervising administrative officer at the City Administrator’s Office, said the early clean-up schedule helps reduce congestion and gives time for the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) to collect and dispose of waste properly before the visitation period.
To ensure public safety, deadly weapons, loudspeakers, alcoholic drinks, gambling paraphernalia, and smoking inside cemetery premises have all been banned.
Gonzales added that selling inside or around public cemeteries is not allowed, and parking will be restricted to a “drop-and-go” scheme for visitors bringing vehicles.
For vendors, the local government has designated Perfecto Street as the only permitted retail area for flowers and candles from 27th October to 2nd November with 75 slots available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Meanwhile, wholesale flower deliveries will be allowed only at the Old Auditorium Area in Burnham Park, but retail selling remains prohibited.
