By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz | Philippine News Agency
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units are finalizing traffic and safety plans for Undas 2026 and the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, with road excavation works set to be suspended.
In a press conference at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City on Wednesday, MMDA Chairperson Romando “Don” Artes said the agency is undertaking preparations early because Undas, or All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day, coincides with the regional summit, requiring closer coordination among agencies.
“We are strengthening our preparations for Undas and the ASEAN Summit in coordination with our partner agencies and local government units (LGUs) to ensure public safety and the orderly movement of people and vehicles. We urge the public to cooperate with our traffic personnel, follow traffic advisories, and plan their trips accordingly,” Chairperson Artes said.
For Undas 2026, which will run from Oct. 24 to Nov. 3, 2026, the MMDA will deploy 2,419 personnel to manage traffic and provide public assistance around major cemeteries. These include Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City, San Juan Public Cemetery, and Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City.
MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director Vic Nuñez said the agency will also provide medical assistance, implement traffic rerouting, and arrange emergency response measures.
“We are also coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine National Police for surprise drug testing at selected bus terminals to help ensure the safety of commuters,” he said.
The MMDA’s Road Emergency Group will have ambulances and rescue vehicles on standby, as part of a fleet of 33 vehicles and 1,000 traffic cones deployed for the operations. The Metro Parkways Clearing Group will conduct cleanup operations around cemeteries from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3.
The agency has also enforced a no-day-off and no-absent policy for its traffic personnel on Oct. 29 and 30, and on Nov. 3, 2026.
ASEAN preps
For the ASEAN Summit, permits for fun runs, motorcades, processions and similar public events will be suspended from Oct. 24 to Nov. 20 in Manila City, Pasay City, Parañaque City, Makati City and Taguig City.
Partial restrictions will be implemented at the Philippine International Convention Center and the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex starting Oct. 24, followed by a full lockdown on Nov. 7.
A moratorium on road excavation works will take effect on Nov. 1 until midnight of Dec. 23, 2026, to minimize road disruptions during summit preparations and the Christmas season.
Carlos Sabarre of the National Organizing Committee emphasized the importance of coordination in ensuring the country’s readiness.
“We’re anticipating all possible scenarios and ensuring that the necessary preparations are in place,” Sabarre said.
Representatives from Metro Manila LGUs, Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Organizing Committee (NOC), utility companies, telecommunications providers, and other concerned agencies attended the meeting.
