Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro on Sunday said he has ordered all concerned departments of the city government to ensure a safe and orderly observance of ‘Undas’ or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

He said security measures and traffic rerouting schemes must be in place, particularly on all roads leading to the five cemeteries in the city.

“Gusto ko yung public security at traffic rerouting ay matiyak na maipatutupad. Dapat walang anumang untoward incident sa loob sementeryo. Yung peace and order dapat mahigpit na maipatupad (I want public security and traffic rerouting implemented properly. There should be no untoward incident inside the cemeteries. Peace and order should be assured),” Teodoro said in a statement on Sunday.

Teodoro earlier led the inspection of Loyola Memorial Park, Barangka Municipal Cemetery, Aglipay Cemetery, Holy Child Cemetery, and Our Lady of Abandoned (OLA) to make sure the cemeteries have been properly cleaned and have undergone repairs.

He said preparation for the influx of the people during the Undas has started as early as three weeks ago with the formation of the “Oplan Undas” task force.

The task force will be chaired by Councilor Manny Sarmiento and will have members from Marikina City Police, Office of Public Safety and Security (OPSS), City Health Department, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office-Marikina Rescue 161, Bureau of Fire Protection, barangay officials and other concerned departments who will be stationed in five cemeteries.

The public have been advised to check the traffic rerouting scheme through the city PIO Facebook page.

To prevent traffic congestion, vendors will be prohibited along the roads and sidewalks. They can only sell their goods at the designated areas, according to Sarmiento.

He said vendors at the Loyola Memorial Park may occupy the basketball court near the entrance of the cemetery.

Teodoro, meanwhile, reminded the public not to bring prohibited items inside the cemetery such as firearms, bladed weapons, alcoholic drinks, gambling paraphernalia, and loudspeakers.

He said command centers and police assistance desks will be set up near the entrance of all cemeteries. (PNA)