Northern Metro mayors make own preparations

Mayors of Northern Metro Manila have drawn up their respective comprehensive plans to ensure the orderly and peaceful observance of All Saints’ Day on Thursday.

In Caloocan City, Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo has directed the police, the public safety and traffic management and the local department of health to closely monitor the situation in the city’s three public and four private cemeteries tomorrow until Nov. 2, All Soul’s Day.

In a statement, Malonzo cautioned all who are going to the cemeteries against pickpockets, snatchers and holduppers.

Valenzuela police officer-in-charge (OIC) Senior Superintendent Oscar Paginado also added that he has assigned a police contingent near the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) along the Manila exit to ease traffic in the area long identified as a bottleneck.

Mayor Bobbit Carlos has also created a special task force to extend assistance to cemetery-goers who can not find the graves of their departed, including those who have lost their children in the crowd.

In Malabon City, Mayor Amado Vicencio said that he will deploy additional personnel from the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) to augment the policemen to protect the people visiting their dead in its two public cemeteries, San Bartolome near the city hall and public cemetery in Tugatog near Sangandaan, against petty criminals.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said he has provided a free lane near the cemeteries where enterprising vendors can set up their stalls without affecting the smooth flow of traffic.

Local enforcers also have been alerted to guard against those who fly kites inside the cemetery premises to prevent accidents, Tiangco said.

The mayor said they have met with Chief Superintendent Vidal Querol, Northern Police District Office (NPDO) director, who has ensured the deployment of some 500 policemen and traffic enforcers.

Querol said he has assured the mayors of his cooperation and support to keep the free flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic near and outside the cemeteries. The mayors are warning the public that the police will not hesitate to arrest those who carry firearms, engage in drinking liquor, playing card games and loud music inside the cemeteries. – Jerry Botial