WPD activates ‘Oplan Kaluluwa’ 2001 around cemeteries

The Western Police District has activated "Oplan Kaluluwa 2001" to ensure peace and order in and around the three major cemeteries in Manila when the nation commemorates All Saint’s Day and All Soul‘s Day.

According Superintendent Rodolfo Sison, officer-in-charge of the WPD-Traffic Enforcement Group, the plan will cover the Chinese, Manila North, and La Loma cemeteries.

Sison ordered all Traffic Enforcement Group members who are not detailed for field duty to be on stand-by until the plan is fully implemented.

According to the WPD, the plan takes effect from 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 until Nov. 2. Sison said that aside from traffic management, policemen would also enforce the liquor ban in the three cemeteries.

The WPD-TEG will set-up a command post at the Dimasalang Circle. This will serve as the nerve center for traffic direction and parking in the three cemeteries divided into three zones.

Zone I includes Dimasalang St., A. Maceda St., and Aurora Boulevard. Zone II includes Juan Luna, Tayuman, Dagupan Jose Abad Santos, and Manuguit Subdivision. Zone III includes Rizal Avenue, Tayuman, Oroquieta, Tomas Mapua, and Blumentritt.

Sison also ordered WPD-Motorcycle Unit chief Senior Inspector Reynaldo Nava to assign six officers in the morning shift and another six in the afternoon shift for the plan. The WPD-Special Operations Group will deploy two tow trucks and personnel at the Dimalasang Circle.

According to the WPD-TEG, the final traffic rerouting plan around the three Manila cemeteries will be released on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has started to closely monitor all ships departing from the country’s various seaports with the expected traditional influx of travellers to the provinces and remote islands in the observance of All Saints’ Day on Thursday.

PCG commandant Vice Admiral Reuben Lista has issued orders to all district port commanders to see to it that all departing ships carry only the allowed limit of passengers and cargo.

Lista said it is during this season when unscrupulous shipowners try to earn more by overloading their vessels. The government has declared a three-day holiday to give the people more time to be with their loved ones.

It is traditional for the Filipinos to troop to the provinces and visit the tombs of their dead relatives even at the risk of their lives and property. Starting Monday, ports will be teeming with people trying to hitch a last-minute ride to their home provinces.

Most sea tragedies happen during this season due to overloading and lack of life-saving devices.

Lista directed his personnel to see to it that all departing ships are equipped with the life-saving devices. The Coast Guard is mandated to detain a ship found deficient.

On land, the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) and the Skyway Corp. will assist motorists who will troop to the provinces and cemeteries on All Saint’s Day.

The assistance program, dubbed "Oplan Kaluluwa," is the tollway operators’ response to the expected heavy flow of motorists who will use the North and South Luzon Tollways and the Skyway System during the holidays. The PNCC assures motorists of intensified patrol operations and assistance.

According to PNCC chairman and CEO Luis Sison, he will deploy additional traffic enforcers in identified chokepoints along the tollways like Balintawak, Valenzuela, San Fernando and Sta. Ines interchanges at the North Luzon Tollways and at Sales, Bicutan, Sucat, Alabang and Susana Heights interchanges and at the San Juan viaduct on the South Luzon Tollway. — Mike Frialde and Nestor Etolle