In Cebu City ‘Peaceful Undas’

CEBU, Philippines — Authorities described the observance of All Saints’ Day in Cebu City as peaceful and orderly, except for an isolated incident at Carreta Cemetery where an electrician was reportedly electrocuted and fell.

Cebu City officials reported no major peace and order concerns across cemeteries and memorial parks as of Sunday afternoon, despite the influx of visitors. Authorities expect even bigger crowds today for the observance of All Souls’ Day, particularly in the mountain barangays.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) chair Councilor Dave Tumulak, who has been monitoring the city’s “Kalag-Kalag” operations, said the situation remained generally calm, particularly in mountain barangays where many families traditionally converge to visit the graves of their loved ones.

“So far, sa pagkakaron, peaceful kayo labi na ang mga mountain barangays,” Tumulak told The Freeman in an interview.

The only significant incident reported involved an electrician who was allegedly electrocuted and fell at Carreta Cemetery at around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“Except lang sa Careta ganina, dunay electrician nga nakuryentihan, natagak sa Carreta,” Tumulak said, adding that he had yet to receive an update on the victim’s condition.

Beyond the incident, the city government’s extensive deployment of personnel appeared to help keep the observance orderly.

Tumulak said social workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS), traffic personnel, city and barangay disaster response teams, barangay officials and members of the Philippine National Police were stationed across cemeteries and other key areas.

He also noted that Cebu City Police Office Director Col. Ricky Sumalde personally conducted inspections and monitoring activities.

While visitor turnout in the mountain barangays remained relatively manageable on Sunday, Tumulak said authorities were bracing for heavier crowds today.

“Ang sa bukid, ugma pa ang daghan. Anticipated nga mas daghan ugma (today),” he said.

Traffic conditions also remained manageable despite the large volume of people visiting cemeteries.

Asked whether authorities had recorded any road rage incidents or major disturbances on the road, Tumulak said none had been reported as of Sunday afternoon.

“Wala kay daghan kaayog mga pulis, so far,” he said.

Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) Assistant Head Kent Francesco Jongoy backed Tumulak’s assessment, describing the overall situation as manageable despite long queues in several areas, particularly near cemeteries.

“So far, so good pa,” Jongoy said.

The traffic official said motorists should expect delays given the sheer number of people converging on public cemeteries, many of which were not designed to accommodate such large crowds at the same time.

“Let's normalize the queueing near cemeteries. These areas were not designed to accommodate hundreds all at the same time. Congestion and delays are normal. Unless we redesign our cemeteries, especially the public ones,” Jongoy said.

He noted that traffic congestion was actually heavier on Friday as cemetery visits coincided with Halloween-related activities, including trick-or-treat events in malls, subdivisions and commercial establishments.

The combination of these activities resulted in heavy traffic, particularly in Banilad, from about 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“Longer lines and borderline blood pressures of kamote drivers and road rage-wannabes,” he said, referring to motorists who became impatient during the traffic buildup.

While city agencies focused on ensuring safety and order, the Archdiocese of Cebu emphasized the spiritual significance of the occasion.

At the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Mausoleum, Cebu Archbishop Abet Uy led the Eucharistic celebration for the solemnity of All Saints, reminding the faithful that sanctity is not reserved for a select few but is a vocation shared by every Christian.

“We have a common vocation to become holy in the eyes of God,” Uy said in his homily.

The prelate stressed that the Church’s celebration honors not only canonized saints but also the countless men and women who quietly lived lives of faith, love and holiness.

Calling on the faithful not to delay their spiritual journey, Uy urged them to begin living lives rooted in faith today rather than waiting for a more convenient time.

“Sugdi karon. Ayaw na paugmaa. Because tomorrow is never promised to any one of us,” he said.

Uy also reminded the faithful that saints were not individuals who lived perfect lives but people who never stopped striving to become better despite their weaknesses and failures.

The archbishop later offered prayers for the faithful departed as the Church prepared to commemorate All Souls’ Day.

Meanwhile, a total of 156,467 passengers passed through ports under the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) from Oct. 29 to 31 as travelers headed to various destinations for the Undas 2026 observance.

Based on the CPA’s Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2026 daily passenger statistics as of 3 p.m. on Oct. 31, a total of 59,267 passengers arrived at Cebu ports, while 97,200 passengers departed.

The figures covered passenger movements at the CPA baseport and outports.

On Oct. 29, inbound passengers totaled 15,731, with 9,419 recorded at the baseport and 6,312 at the outports. Outbound passengers reached 21,870, including 14,095 at the baseport and 7,775 at the outports.

Passenger traffic increased on Oct. 30, when inbound passengers reached 22,478 and outbound passengers climbed to 38,277.

Of the inbound passengers, 11,462 arrived through the baseport and 11,016 through the outports. Outbound passengers totaled 22,572 at the baseport and 15,705 at the outports.

On Oct. 31, inbound passenger traffic stood at 21,058, consisting of 8,393 passengers at the baseport and 12,665 at the outports.

Outbound passengers reached 37,053, with 18,115 recorded at the baseport and 18,938 at the outports.

For the three-day period, the CPA recorded 29,274 inbound passengers at the baseport and 29,993 at the outports, for a combined 59,267.

Outbound traffic reached 54,782 passengers at the baseport and 42,418 at the outports, totaling 97,200.

The figures showed that outbound passenger traffic was significantly higher than inbound movement during the three-day period, indicating heavier travel out of Cebu ahead of and during the Undas break.— Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon (CEBU NEWS)