Taguig city gov't ready for Undas

MANILA, Philippines - The Taguig city government will be provide 24-hour security, medical services and traffic assistance for those who will troops to the city’s eight cemeteries on November 1.

The city government recently launched 2013 Oplan Undas, which primarily maps out the security arrangements during the annual holiday where thousands are expected to troop to cemeteries to visit their departed ones.

"We are expecting a lot of people to honor their deceased relatives so we want to make this commemoration and tradition as comfortable as it can be for them,” Mayor Lani Cayetano said in a statement.

"With the collaborative effort of several offices within the local government and the Taguig City police, preparations are underway to ensure that no untoward incident occurs come Undas." she added.

Ronnie Audije,  head of the Center for Social Welfare and Development Special Projects, said they will be securing eight cemeteries in the city.

These are:

• Bagumbayan Cemetery
• Hagonoy Cemetery
• Tuktukan Cemetery
• Ligid Catholic Cemetery
• Aglipay Cemetery
• Libingan ng mga Bayani
• Garden of Memories
• Maharlika Cemetery

He added that help desks and first-aid tents will be strategically placed in all of the cemeteries in order to address any concern or respond to any medical emergencies.

The city government has ensured that all areas in all of the cemeteries and all streets leading to them are well-lit, Audije said.

The Public Order and Safety Office and the Taguig police will be deploying a total of 868 personnel to the cemeteries starting October 31.

Members of the Traffic Management Office will also handle the traffic of vehicles expected to congest roads leading to the cemeteries.

The mayor also advised citizens against bringing liquor and deadly weapons to the cemeteries on November 1.

"These are strictly prohibited. I encourage everyone to abide by the law. Any violation would be dealt with accordingly," she said.