Roxas to mayors: Ensure peaceful 'Undas' observance

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas on Wednesday directed the country’s city and town mayors to adopt measures that will ensure the safe and peaceful observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Roxas also ordered the Philippine National Police to go on full alert to ensure the safe travel of passengers and motorists who will be visiting their dead during the two-day Undas holiday.

In a memorandum circular, Roxas instructed the mayors, all DILG regional directors and the governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to deploy law enforcers and barangay tanods in cemeteries and other public areas.

"The local chief executives should convene their Local Peace and Order Councils to formulate a contingency plan on peace and order and public safety during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day," Roxas said.

As part of the contingency plan, Roxas specifically cited the need to deploy law enforcers, barangay tanods and medical personnel in public and private cemeteries and memorial parks nationwide.

"They should see to it that cleanliness and orderliness in cemeteries and other public places before, during and after Undas 2013 shall be maintained,” he added. 

Roxas said law enforcers and barangay watchmen must should provide assistance and intensify visibility to the traveling public and motorists and implement effective traffic management.

He said the country’s various ports, bus and other transport terminals must also be secured to ensure the safety and convenience of travelers.

After the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, Roxas said the local chief executives are expected to ensure efficient garbage collection and clean-up operations in cemeteries and other public places.