Local authorities brace for All Saints’ Day

Metro Manila’s local governments are hurrying preparations to ensure that traffic flows smoothly when Filipinos troop to cemeteries to mark All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

In Parañaque, the city government will implement a traffic plan on Tuesday to ease an anticipated heavy traffic on its main thoroughfare, Dr. Arcadio Santos Avenue (formerly Sucat Road), which leads to the city’s two main cemeteries.

"I urge the cooperation of all those coming to pay their respects to their departed loved ones at the Manila and Loyola Memorial Parks along Dr. A. Santos Avenue, as well as those going to the Parañaque Public Cemetery near the juncture of Ninoy Aquino Avenue and Bonifacio Drive in Barangay San Dionisio," Mayor Jun Bernabe said.

Aside from police officers, local barangay personnel and volunteers from civic organizations will help direct traffic.

Medical personnel will also be on hand in case of emergencies, according to Rodolfo Llamas, head of the Parañaque Traffic Management Office, which has the lead in the traffic management plan.

Llamas said Parañaque Elementary School Central will be used as an evacuation area in emergency cases.

"Teams of PTMO personnel shall be posted at strategic places in and around all three cemeteries to direct and enforce traffic rules. The local police and baragay tanods will maintain peace and order," he added.

Llamas said the plan basically involves vehicle segregation.

Both sides of Dr. A. Santos Avenue from the Sucat Interchange down to the length of Ninoy Aquino Avenue shall be cleared of all traffic obstructions such as illegally parked vehicles, illegally constructed stalls and other structures.

The road will remain a two-way street. However, vehicles intending to enter either Manila Memorial Park and Loyola Memorial Park will be guided by pylons. Drivers are advised to keep right or use the two right lane side of the road.

Vehicles passing through will be directed to use the two left lanes and must keep left as they near the cemeteries. Road signs will be installed to help guide motorists.

Parking on both sides of Dr. A. Santos Avenue, particularly near the cemeteries, will be strictly prohibited except for emergencies.

Violators will be towed. Pedestrian crossings near the cemeteries will be strictly supervised to help ease traffic flow.

President Avenue, San Antonio Drive and Lopez Village along Dr. A. Santos Avenue are major secondary roads going to and from both memorial parks. Motorists are advised to follow signs that will be installed along these roads, including loading and unloading zones.

Special attention will be given to the Sucat interchange, the convergence point of vehicles coming from the south and north of Parañaque. Three traffic directors from the PTMO shall direct motorists going in and out of the city. Two motorcycle officers will provide assistance in emergency situations.

In Marikina City, meanwhile, local authorities have also drafted traffic management plans. Mayor Marides Fernando has put city police chief Superintendent Sotero Ramos in charge.

Ramos has also ordered security tightened, including the deployment of bomb-sniffing dogs and emergency personnel. Visitors to cemeteries will be searched for weapons, liquor and other contraband.

Personnel from the Metro Manila Development Authority will be deployed around cemeteries across Metro Manila to help the ease the yearly traffic jams.