Gov't agencies ready for All Saints', All Souls' Days

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and other government agencies on Friday said they are all set for the Filipinos' observance of All Saints' and All Souls' Days this year. At a weekly forum by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on Friday, Police Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the PNP is on full alert as 6 p.m. Thursday. Cruz, head of the PNP public information office, said day offs and leaves of police personnel have been temporarily canceled and cops have been ordered to report to their respective stations. Also, he said the PNP launched "Oplan Kaluluwa" last week and that police forces have been making rounds at malls and other crowded places to ensure public safety. Moreover, he said motorist assistance centers will be set up along major thoroughfares on All Saints' and All Souls' Days. But he also reminded the public to protect themselves by following the government's safety tips. "Ito po ay mga paalala para hindi sila mabiktima ng mga masasama ang loob," Cruz said, noting the PNP does not see a direct relation between the crime rate and the observance of Undas. On the other hand, the Atty. Alu Dorotan of the Metro Manila Development Authority said the MMDA has also adopted a no-day-off, no absent policy for their employees during the coming holidays. She said the agency will be deploying 1,400 personnel, who will be assisting in the implementation of rerouting schemes on All Souls' and All Saints' Days. "Kami po ay full force na tutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamayan," she said during the PIA forum. She added the MMDA will be lift the color coding scheme on October 31 and November 1, but the motorcycle lanes will remain in effect. For his part, Ian Nubbin Francisco, national field representative of the Philippine Red Cross, said the PRC has already deployed medics and ambulances to major thoroughfares in Metro Manila. He added that PRC's 100 chapters will deploy people to cemeteries from October 31 to November 2. No cyclones Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reiterated its initial forecast that no cyclone would threaten All Saints' and All Souls' Days. "Maganda ang panahon. Wala po tayong nakatakdang bagyo (o) sama ng panahon," said PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando during Friday's forum. But he noted that there would be isolated rainshowers during the weekend and that they have issued a gale warning in areas close to shorelines in Luzon. On the other hand, Office of Civil Defense operations division chief Edgardo Ollet said that they are currently on "blue alert" while they monitor the weather and the status of active volcanoes like Mayon, Taal, and Bulusan. He noted, however, that they will be on "red alert" status from October 28 to November 3. — LBG, GMA News