Govt agencies, cemetery admins firm up ‘Undas’ plans in NCR

Government agencies in Metro Manila firmed up on Monday their plans for “Undas" (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days) following a meeting that included administrators of private cemeteries in the metropolis. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said “Oplan Kaluluwa 2011" will, for the first time, have the cooperation of private cemetery administrators. “It’s all systems go for All Saint’s Day. The LGUs [local government units] have already mapped out their rerouting plans, and close coordination is needed to ensure a peaceful and orderly celebration," MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said. He called on other private civic organizations, such as the various Rotary Club chapters, to volunteer their assistance as well. The MMDA met with government and private agencies, as well as administrators of private cemeteries, Monday afternoon to firm up their plans. Present at the meeting were Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) head Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina and representatives of the traffic management bureaus of the different Metro Manila LGUs, as well as officials of the Philippine Information Agency and the Bureau of Fire Protection. Public safety and security On the part of the private sector, present at the meeting were representatives of the Loyola Memorial Parks in Marikina and Sucat, of Himlayang Pilipino, and of Manila South and North cemeteries. Participants at the meeting outlined their contingency plans for the forthcoming “Undas," emphasizing traffic management, road rerouting, public safety and security. Tolentino said most of the MMDA traffic enforcers are tasked to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic along Metro Manila’s thoroughfares leading to the major cemeteries. Mobile patrol units, traffic enforcers, police personnel, and medical teams will be deployed throughout Metro Manila, especially in the large cemeteries and memorial parks, both public and private. Also, public assistance stations will be set up at strategic locations. “Our enforcers shall strictly monitor and manage traffic particularly at identified choke points such as Balintawak, Dangwa, bus terminals and roads leading to the South Luzon Expressway [SLEX]," Tolentino said. Avoid EDSA, use alternate routes MMDA assistant general manager for operations Emerson Carlos appealed to the public to avoid Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and use alternate routes going to the North Luzon Expressway. “The public may use C-5, Katipunan, Tandang Sora, Congressional Avenue, and Mindanao Avenue leading to NLEX as heavy traffic is expected along EDSA," he said. Motorists may also use the MMDA-designated Mabuhay lanes such as A. Bonifacio, C-3 Araneta, Magsaysay Boulevard, Nagtahan, President Quirino Avenue, and South Superhighway going to SLEX. MMDA enforcers will work hand-in-hand with the PNP-HPG, the LGUs, and civic volunteer groups. — MRT/VS, GMA News