Mandaue to secure cemeteries for Kalag-Kalag

CEBU, Philippines — Emergency response teams (ERTs), police personnel, and barangay workers will be deployed to Mandaue City cemeteries during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to ensure public safety and provide immediate emergency assistance.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Buddy Ybañez said the city government was coordinating with barangays, Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), Mandaue Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other agencies to prepare for the expected influx of cemetery visitors.

Mayor Thadeo Ouano led an inspection of four cemeteries in Barangay Guizo on Tuesday, October 13, including two privately owned and two city-owned burial grounds.

Ybañez said the inspection team also visited three other cemeteries in barangays Jagobiao and Pagsabungan to discuss preparations with cemetery administrators and assess safety measures.

The CDRRMO will set up tents and medical stations, while the MCPO will establish police assistance desks. Barangay ERTs, barangay tanods, and other personnel will also help monitor the cemeteries.

Under the planned deployment, 10 to 12 CDRRMO and barangay ERT personnel will be assigned to a cemetery, depending on the area.

Police will deploy at least four personnel per cemetery, with two stationed at the entrance and two conducting roving patrols, Ybañez said.

Personnel will also monitor candles and other potential fire hazards, particularly around large crosses where candles are commonly placed.

Ybañez said cemetery administrators were reminded to assign their own personnel to help monitor candle use and respond immediately should a fire break out.

Security screening will also be part of the preparations, with visitors expected to be checked for prohibited items, including weapons, alcoholic beverages, and gambling paraphernalia.

The Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) will assist in managing traffic around cemetery areas, while the city government and barangays will coordinate to prevent vendors from encroaching on roads, particularly in Barangay Guizo.

Ybañez said vendors occupying roadways, especially at night, could obstruct traffic and affect access for emergency responders.

“Ang atoa is masiguro nga naa gyud tay sakto nga entrance and exit sa atong mga katawhan,” Ybañez said, stressing the need for clearly accessible entry and exit points in case of fire, an earthquake, or another emergency.

He said unobstructed access would also allow responders to enter cemetery grounds quickly and evacuate injured people if necessary.

Rather than conducting another final inspection, the CDRRMO will convene a pre-deployment coordination meeting with barangay officials, the MCPO, and the BFP to finalize arrangements before the observance.

Ybañez said the city and barangays would need to work together to keep cemetery grounds safe and ensure that emergency personnel could respond without obstruction.

Ouano is also expected to issue an executive order outlining guidelines for the observance in public and private cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria across Mandaue City. — /MRM (FREEMAN)