CBCP: Folks in flooded areas can light candles at home

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Catholics residing in flooded areas can observe All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days by praying and lighting candles at home, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

“They can also light candles, bring in flowers and prepare a simple altar as gestures of remembrance,” said CBCP Public Affairs Committee executive secretary Jerome Secillano.

The Archdiocese of Manila Liturgical Commission prepared a “family prayer for the faithful departed,” which can be recited at home or when visiting the cemetery.

“Let us gather as a family in praying for the souls of our beloved dead,” the Manila Cathedral posted on Facebook.

Lakbay Alalay

Meanwhile, the Lakbay Alalay program has been reactivated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to manage the anticipated surge of motorists during Undas.

Composite teams have been deployed, while cleanup and repair of roads and bridges destroyed by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine continue.

The DPWH Lakbay Alalay teams are comprised of uniformed personnel who will work around the clock at identified stations.

Routine maintenance of national roads, primarily the routes leading to cemeteries and churches, is being conducted by DPWH Regional and District Engineering Offices.

“We are expecting the influx of motorists for Undas 2024. We are mobilizing our Lakbay Alalay Motorists Assistance Stations to provide prompt and reliable assistance to the traveling public,” said DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

Safe trips

The Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko motorists assistance program has been reactivated by the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC).

Emergency and medical incident response teams will be deployed within the MPTC Group’s expressways: North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway, Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway, Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and NLEX Connector Road.

Free towing services will be offered for Class 1 vehicles up to the nearest exit, from 6 a.m. on Oct. 31 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 4.

Roadworks and lane closures have also been suspended from Oct. 30 to Nov. 4, except for emergency safety repairs.

Motorists are advised to plan their trips and use the MPT DriveHub app for traffic updates, RFID management and roadside assistance.

Since high traffic volume is anticipated in major expressways like NLEX, the public is advised of heavy northbound traffic on Oct. 31 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Nov. 1 from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For Manila-bound travelers, high traffic volume is expected on Nov. 2 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., and from Nov. 3, 2 p.m. to Nov. 4, 8 a.m. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Ramon Efren Lazaro