By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday joined Filipinos in paying “deep respects to our dearly departed” this Undas, ensuring that those who once lived will not be forgotten even if life goes on for those who remain on earth.
In his message for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the President underscored the significance of the first two days of November for Filipinos—when people spend “a solemn pause to pray, reflect, and recall” their dead loved ones.
“During these twin feasts, we proclaim that those who came before us do not vanish into nothingness but continue to live on in our hearts and minds,” he said.
“Every act of remembrance carries a greater meaning: to pray is to enter communion with our saints and deceased loved ones, to light a candle is to bind our conscience with their legacy, and to lay flowers is to pledge to uphold their mission.”
As millions of Filipinos visit cemeteries to pay their respects to the dead every Undas, the Chief Executive has directed various government agencies to ensure public safety and orderliness.
This was announced by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in a press briefing on the sidelines of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea on Friday.
“Bago ang pag-alis ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa Pilipinas patungong South Korea para sa 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, o APEC Summit—ipinag-utos ng Pangulo ang mahigpit na pagbabantay sa Undas,” Castro said.
She said the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s field offices are ready to assist, including relief items such as ready-to-eat food packs, family food packs, and other essentials, especially for stranded passengers.
The Department of Health has also set up emergency tents along the South Luzon Expressway in anticipation of an increase in passenger volume, while the Department of Trade and Industry is strictly monitoring commodity prices in the markets to ensure that there would be no price movement of goods during Undas.
The Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Coast Guard had also deployed their respective personnel as part of intensified patrols in residential areas and business establishments to ensure public safety.
“Bagama’t nasa APEC Summit si Pangulong Marcos Jr.—prayoridad pa rin ng Pangulo ang seguridad ng taumbayan ngayong Undas.”
-jpv
