Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno on Thursday encouraged the visitors of the Manila North Cemetery to observe a peaceful commemoration of Undas for their departed loved ones.
Moreno made this statement as he inspected the 54-hectare cemetery, where around two million people are expected to flock to this Undas season.
Moreno reminded visitors to not bring sharp objects, alcoholic beverages, loud sound systems, and firearms as these will be confiscated upon entry.
‘If only those who are laid here could talk, they would want to spend their time with you peacefully,’ Moreno told reporters in an interview.
‘Maybe, that’s the atmosphere we should observe on November 1: visit our loved ones, offer something, particularly prayers,’ Moreno added.
According to the administration of the cemetery, it will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. until Sunday, November 2. Meanwhile, regular operations, such as interment, will resume on Monday, November 3.
Moreno also warned pickpockets who are planning to take advantage of the crowded situation of the cemetery.
‘Don’t ever attempt because if something untoward happens, you will be the ones visited by your family on November 1. We never know because I can’t stop the people who will come after you,’ he stressed.
In a separate interview on Thursday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said that no security threat has been monitored inside the cemetery so far. He shared that a total of 144 NCRPO personnel are deployed in six police assistance desks in the cemetery.
Aberin also said that they will assess if more police personnel are needed to secure the area to ensure peace and safety.
Mask up
Meanwhile, amid reports of cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI), Moreno encouraged cemetery visitors to wear masks, especially those who are immuno-compromised.
‘Nothing is wrong in wearing a mask if you’re not feeling well or maybe you have comorbidities,’ he said.
Though he said that wearing a mask will not be required, he said that wearing one will be for ‘comfort and convenience.’
The Department of Health earlier reported that it recorded a total of 6,457 ILI cases nationwide from September 28 to October 11. It noted that the figure was lower than the 10,740 cases logged during the previous two-week period from September 14 to September 27.