LGUs release reminders and guidelines ahead of Kalagkalag

HIGHLY urbanized cities in Cebu have released public reminders and guidelines in preparation for the celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2, 2024.

The Mandaue city government has announced that overnight stays in cemeteries will not be allowed.

In Lapu-Lapu City, a simulation exercise was held at a public cemetery to strengthen security plans for the observation expected to attract thousands of visitors; The Port Authority of Cebu (CPA) will activate its Oplan Byaheng Ayos and encourage the public to report ticket scalpers who will benefit from the season, among others.

Mandaue City

Overnight stays at cemeteries in Mandaue City are not permitted on November 1 and 2. Only authorized visits of 24 hours will be allowed, a city official announced.

Buddy Ybañez, head of the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), told reporters on Tuesday, October 29, that the camping ban is intended to ensure public safety and security, especially considering the large crowds that occur on those two days is expected.

The city has issued an executive order outlining prohibited activities, including wearing jackets, carrying backpacks and bringing sharp objects or weapons onto cemetery grounds. Items that pose a fire hazard are also prohibited.

To preserve the ceremony, karaoke machines, loudspeakers, radios, musical instruments and gambling paraphernalia are prohibited. Smoking, vaping and alcohol consumption or sales are not permitted on the cemetery grounds or within 100 meters of the area.

Visitors should also follow the ‘clean as you go’ policy and avoid using Styrofoam containers.

All Saints’ Day is celebrated on Friday, November 1, while All Souls’ Day is commemorated on Saturday, November 2. Both religious holidays are collectively known as “Kalag-kalag” in the Bisaya-speaking areas.

Ybañez said the city government is working with local police and other agencies to control crowds, prevent accidents and deter potential criminal activity such as theft.

The cemeteries under the jurisdiction of the city are St. Joseph’s Parish Roman Catholic Cemetery, Municipal Cemetery, Manpark Cemetery, Grosmar Memorial Garden in Barangay Guizo, Public Cemeteries in Barangays Pagsabungan and Jagobiao, Angelicum Garden of Angels in Barangay Canduman and parts of Cebu Memorial. Park, spanning Barangay Banilad in Cebu City and Banilad, Mandaue City.

The CDRRMO will mobilize 43 personnel from October 31 to November 3 and distribute them across the city’s eight cemeteries to assist with crowd management, first aid and emergency response.

Ybañez urged visitors to plan their visits well, avoid peak times if possible and follow authorities’ guidelines to maintain peace and order during the celebration.

Lapu-Lapu City

Meanwhile, the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) conducted a simulation exercise at the Humay-Humay Public Cemetery on Tuesday.

Several law enforcement agencies conducted a simulation exercise of possible bomb threat scenarios that could lead to a stampede at the public cemetery during the solemn holiday, said LCPO spokesman Christian Torres.

The exercise, which was participated by the Bureau of Fire Protection, CDRRMO and the City Traffic Management System, lasted almost two hours.

Torres said while police personnel will be deployed for heightened alert at cemeteries, regular operations should not be hampered.

He said authorities should not rule out the possibility of crimes during the Kalagkalag celebration.

“We need to focus not only on the cemetery, but also on the indoor areas or areas outside the cemeteries,” he said.

Authorities are also expecting a wave of visitors on Friday, October 31, as this day has been declared a special non-working day.

The Humay-Humay Public Cemetery is expected to be the busiest on November 1 and 2.

C.P.A

In the meantime, the CPA recommends early travel bookings to avoid potential delays.

The CPA also warned passengers not to transact and instead reported scalpers illegally booking boat tickets in bulk and reselling them at exorbitant prices.

The CPA, together with other law enforcement agencies, will launch Oplan Biyaheng Ayos for Kalagkalag from October 31 to November 5.

Francisco Comendador, general manager of the CPA, said in a statement on Tuesday that all port terminals are implementing “24-hour security” for a period of six days, ensuring the safety of all passengers in the port area.

First aid stations will also be installed at the terminal, while Malasakit helpdesks will also be stationed to address passenger concerns.

Cebu Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, together with Comendador, conducted an inspection of the CPA port terminals on Tuesday as part of the Kalagkalag preparations.

On the other hand, the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO 7) is also on heightened alert status as part of its Oplan Biyaheng Ayos.

The LTO 7 will inspect all public transport vehicles at terminals in the region to ensure they are roadworthy, while random roadside inspections will also be carried out to verify that drivers of public utility vehicles are following the rules , even after terminal inspections.

LTO 7 Director Glen Galario urged travelers and passengers not to patronize illegally operated motor vehicles or colorum vehicles. / CAV, DPC, EHP