P3 million for food packs, snacks okayed

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has approved a resolution authorizing the procurement of food pack meals and snacks amounting close to ?3 million for the Kalag-Kalag Operations 2026, a citywide undertaking to ensure order and safety during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

The measure, sponsored by Councilor Pablo Labra II, was endorsed by the Office of the Mayor and backed by certifications from the City Budget Office and City Treasurer confirming the availability of appropriations and funds.

The allocation covers 12,000 food packs worth ?2.34 million and 6,000 snack units worth ?600,000.

The resolution stressed that procurement is mandated to strictly comply with Republic Act 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), Republic Act 12009, and auditing rules and regulations,

However, Councilor Harold Go still introduced a corollary motion requiring the implementing offices to submit a detailed breakdown of meals and snacks, deployment shifts, and clarification on whether allocations cover personnel in public or private cemeteries.

Go also sought safeguards against duplicate allowances and required submission of delivery, acceptance, and distribution records before liquidation. His motion was carried.

Separately, the Council also approved Councilor Michelle Abella Cellona’s resolution requesting the Office of the Mayor, through the city administrator and concerned departments, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all public cemeteries and prepare a Ten-Year Public Cemetery Development Master Plan.

The plan will cover verified inventories, capacity studies, infrastructure and accessibility audits, sanitation and environmental safeguards, disaster readiness, digital cemetery management, heritage assessments, and phased capital investment programming.

Councilor Francis Esparis also pushed the need to look into the availability of burial slots, citing that many families are forced to resort to costly private cemeteries due to limited public capacity. His motion was likewise carried.

“Kalag Kalag” is the Visayan term for the annual Undas tradition, observed on November 1 (All Saints’ Day) and November 2 (All Souls’ Day).

Families flock to cemeteries to honor departed loved ones, often bringing food, flowers, and candles.

In Cebu City, the influx of thousands of residents and visitors requires coordinated operations involving traffic management, peace and order, emergency response, and public assistance.

The Kalag Kalag Operations 2026 will mobilize city government employees, barangay workers, police, volunteers, and partner agencies to manage crowds, maintain safety, and provide assistance. (CEBU NEWS)