MANILA — The Manila South Cemetery expects 50,000 to 100,000 people to visit their deceased loved ones for this year’s commemoration of All Saints and All Souls Day.
The cemetery’s management assured readiness to provide assistance to the public and ensure peace and order.
“We have heightened the security presence within the vicinity of the cemetery through the support of the Manila and Makati Police, MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) and the local government of Manila,” Manila South Cemetery Administrator Maribel Bueza said in an interview Tuesday.
Around 179 policemen from Manila were deployed within the premises of the South Cemetery as well as its nearby streets according to Bueza.
Moreover, Manila South Cemetery will also put name tags on children indicating the names and contact numbers of their parents so that they will be located easily in case they are lost.
Visitors are also encouraged to access www.manilasouthcemetery.com.ph to find the location of the tombs of their loved ones.
The Manila City government has likewise provided e-tricycles for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women going inside the cemetery.
The Philippine Red Cross and the MMDA have also set up first aid stations to provide immediate medical assistance to the cemetery goers.
“We advise our visitors not to bring their pets as well as bladed objects inside the cemetery. Cleaning of the graves and bringing sound systems are also not allowed. Vehicles should not park within the premises as well,” Bueza stated.
Some decided to visit the cemetery at an earlier time in order to avoid the expected huge influx of people on All Saints Day.
One of them is Priscilla Quiambao, 78, housewife from Taguig City, who visited her deceased husband.
“Despite my old age, I still make it an effort to visit the tomb of my husband as well as to spend time with my family. I usually go to the cemetery a day before All Saints Day to avoid the rush of people coming in and we also have to visit our other relatives in the province,” according to Quiambao.
Vendors of candles, flowers, food and other wares have also noted that their sales are not as brisk compared to previous years but still expect that they will be able to sustain their business as the bulk of visitors usually occur on November 1.
The Makati City Public Safety Department has earlier said that parts of Kalayaan Avenue, South Avenue, Vito Cruz and Pililia Street are closed to motorists from midnight on Monday until midnight of Thursday.
Motorists are advised to expect heavy traffic near the South Cemetery and take alternate routes. (Aerol John Pateña/PNA)
