Manila cemeteries launch grave finder

MANILA, Philippines — Two public cemeteries in Manila have launched online platforms that allow users to locate graves and tombs of their departed loved ones.

The websites of the Manila North Cemetery in Sta. Cruz district and the Manila South Cemetery in Makati both feature search engines that can be used by relatives to find the exact location of burial sites.

Through the “Memorial Search” function on www.manilanorthcemetery.ph, users can view the name, date of death, section, lot and grave number of the deceased. A map is also provided to help users locate the section easily.

Meanwhile, the “Grave List” feature on www.manilasouthcemetery.com displays the full name and grave number of the deceased.

Although the search for graves has become automated, the managements of both cemeteries said their databases are still being updated, with personnel continuously encoding the names of thousands of individuals buried there.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has ordered city government personnel “to remain visible and responsive on the ground, emphasizing the need for continuous assistance, crowd management and public safety operations” during this year’s Undas, the Filipino observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

The Manila Police District, Department of Public Services and Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau were instructed to coordinate closely to ensure safety, sanitation and smooth traffic flow.

Domagoso also directed the Manila Department of Social Welfare to assist parents and guardians in cases of missing children and to assign personnel at information desks and command posts to help the elderly, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable visitors.

Travel, security reminders

As millions of Filipinos travel to commemorate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, police urged the public to avoid real-time social media posts to prevent attracting criminals.

Maj. Hazel Asilo, spokesperson for the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), warned that burglars monitor posts about empty homes or parked vehicles.

“As much as possible, we should avoid posting our real-time location or that we have left our homes,” Asilo told radio dzMM, advising instead to “do a late post.”

The NCRPO will deploy 8,575 police officers starting Friday under full-alert status, with a skeleton deployment on Wednesday.

An additional 2,600 barangay watchers will serve as force multipliers, while 277 police assistance desks will operate in crowded Metro Manila areas.

Authorities will only allow sick and emergency leaves for police personnel during the Undas break.

Meanwhile, acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. called on police officers to uphold integrity, fairness and public service during the Undas season.

At the PNP’s flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame, Nartatez reminded officers to remain grateful and disciplined following the release of their 2023 performance-based bonus, credited on Oct. 23.

He said the ongoing 2025 attrition quota processing would be carried out under the “nameless, faceless” recruitment system to ensure merit-based entry.

“Being a police officer is not just a profession; it is a calling to serve, protect and sacrifice for others,” Nartatez said.

Around 30,000 PNP personnel will be deployed nationwide from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3 to secure cemeteries, transport terminals and major routes.

“Our deployment plan is in place, in close coordination with LGUs and other government agencies,” he said. “Let us work together to ensure a peaceful, orderly and solemn Undas 2025.”

Motorists assistance

To ensure safe travel, the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) reactivated its “Biyaheng Arangkada” motorists assistance program covering the NLEX, SCTEX, NLEX Connector, CALAX, CAVITEX and CCLEX.

About 2,000 traffic, toll and emergency personnel will be on duty, working with the PNP, LGUs and other agencies.

Free towing for Class 1 and Class 1M (for CCLEX) vehicles to the nearest exit will be offered from 6 a.m. of Oct. 30 to 6 a.m. of Nov. 3, while roadworks will be suspended during the same period, except for emergency repairs.

To ease bottlenecks, NLEX Corp. regraded shoulder lanes in key areas for counterflow operations. Motorists are advised to plan their trips and avoid peak hours, especially during the afternoons of Oct. 29 to 31, morning of Nov. 1, afternoon of Nov. 2 and morning of Nov. 3.

Motorists can use the MPT DriveHub app for real-time traffic updates, RFID reloading and assistance.

Maynilad will distribute free bottled water, while Smart Communications will provide free WiFi and charging stations in select locations.

MPTC encourages motorists to ensure their vehicles are in good condition and RFID accounts are sufficiently loaded before traveling.

For updates, the company advised the public to follow @NLEXexpressways, @OfficialCALAX, @CaviteXpressway, and @CCLEXexpressway on Facebook or call 1-35000 for 24/7 assistance. — EJ Macababbad, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Evelyn Macairan, Mark Ernest Villeza