Ahead of All Saints’, All Souls’ day: City security boosted; rerouting up

CEBU, Philippines - Police personnel have been deployed in Cebu City cemeteries to maintain peace and order during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Chief Inspector David Señor, chief of the Cebu City Police Office’s Police Community Relations Branch, said at least 477 policemen from different police stations in the city are eyed to be detailed at cemeteries under their area of responsibility.

From all cemeteries in Cebu City, the police have identified around five major cemeteries which need more focus in terms of security. These are the cemeteries of Barangays Calamba, Carreta and Pardo, as well as the Cebu Memorial Park in Barangay Banilad and the Queen City Garden on A. Soriano Avenue in the North Reclamation Area.

“Mao gyud na ang atong gi-focus nga maximum gyud nga deployment sa atong mga kapolisan, apil na ang tanod ug tanang police auxiliary,” Señor said.

He said as the Police Regional Office-7 is on heightened alert, all leaves and days-off of the policemen are cancelled on November 1 and 2.

Señor, however, said police will not just focus on ensuring security in the cemeteries. Some policemen, he said, will be left at their respective police stations or beat patrols to respond to emergencies.

He also said they will inspect cemeteries, bus terminals and ports today, as well as give flyers to the public bearing safety tips.

Señor said they also already posted tarpaulins showing safety tips in the cemeteries to warn the public against possible lawless elements who would take advantage of the influx of people.

Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, PRO-7 director, earlier said along with the inspections, they will probably put up closed-circuit television  cameras in major cemeteries just like last year.

Señor reminded the public not to bring alcoholic drinks and sharp objects when going inside the cemeteries to avoid being held in custody.

Rerouting

Meanwhile, starting today, the Cebu City Transportation Office will implement a rerouting scheme on several streets near cemeteries in the city.

The scheme will run starting today, October 30, to November 2.

CCTO has urged motorists, drivers, and road users to follow traffic signs installed in affected areas to minimize traffic congestion, especially on streets near cemeteries where hundreds of people are expected to flock.

CCTO is particularly watching over traffic in eight cemeteries.

 All vehicles are not allowed to pass through Dela Victoria Street and Sabellano Road leading to Pardo Cemetery to give way to pedestrians and cemetery goers.

For those going to Labangon Cemetery, vehicles from Katipunan Street shall pass A. Lopez Street, left turn to Balaga Street, to Labangon Cemetery, and from the cemetery passing Balaga Street, then turn right to Tranza Road and then exit to Katipunan Street.

Vehicles going to Calamba Cemetery will not be affected by the scheme, but parking is not allowed along V. Rama Avenue.

For Talamban Cemetery, all vehicles coming from downtown area passing Talamban proper shall proceed to Borbajo Street, left turn to SOS Street, and turn left or right to Miñoza Street, then to their destination. Further, all vehicles coming from Pit-os shall pass Miñoza Street to downtown proper.

For the Cebu Memorial Park Cemetery, all vehicles except trucks and trailer should traverse the rightmost side of Governor Cuenco Avenue, then right turn to J. Panis Street and make an exit at A.S Fortuna Street or along Orel Street to Mandaue City.

For Lorega-San Miguel Cemetery, CCTO has allowed designated parking area at the left side of General Echavez Extension.

For Carreta Cemetery, the designated parking area would be at General Maxilom Avenue.

CCTO will also implement “no parking” policy anytime at both sides of M.J. Cuenco Avenue near Chinese Cemetery.

For Ludo and Queen City Garden Cemetery, the designated parking area is both sides of Don Andres Soriano Avenue, at Gaisano Street, 6th Avenue and West 1 Road North 6.

All CCTO traffic personnel will be on duty for the observance of the holidays.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Rama reminded residents not to be complacent with leaving their houses for a cemetery visit.

The mayor asked the public to be vigilant even against petty crimes, saying the city will strictly implement laws and ordinances like City Ordinance 2241 or the “Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of the City of Cebu” and City Ordinance 1361 which prohibits irresponsible garbage disposal.

Drivers complain

Still in Cebu City, public utility jeepney drivers are complaining on the traffic problem experienced on the intersection of Juan Luna Street and A. Borromeo Street following the road closure on P. Lopez Street starting Wednesday.

CCTO recently agreed on closing the road temporarily until November 2 to pave way for the annual candle and flower sale catering the needs of the public.

CCTO approved the request of the Cebu City United Vendors Association, through its president Maria Pino Buanghug, for the road closure on P. Lopez Street for the annual “Operation Bulak,” an annual candle and flower selling tradition.

But this places the private and public vehicles on an inconvenient position, the drivers argued.

Eric Gocela, a PUJ driver plying the 03B route, said traffic enforcers should be assigned in the area to man the traffic and prevent any vehicular accident.

“Walay traffic enforcer. Delikado ni sa disgrasya,” he said.

Gocela suggested that jeepneys should have been rerouted to other roads and the volume of vehicles traversing the intersection should be lessened.

CCTO Operations Division Head Jonathan Tumulak recognized that the intersection is expected to experience traffic problems due to the road closure but he assured that there were at least two traffic enforcers assigned at the intersection.

He also advised all PUJs from Osmeña Boulevard that pass through J. Luna Street to drive straight to Osmeña Boulevard for them to access the roads going to the Carbon Market area.

But another PUJ driver, Quirino Impas, who plies the 10H route that takes A. Borromeo Street, also complained.

He said since the road was closed, their income is also affected.

“Naglisod mi sugod gahapon (October 28). Wala’y sobra sa among ginansya. Menos ang sakay, unya malangan pa sa traffic. Dili dayon kalapos tungod sa sitwasyon kay pwerting trapika. Oras man among gi-apas gud nga dili unta mi malangan ba,” Impas said.

With this, CCTO Executive Director Rey Gealon is appealing for understanding and patience from the public, including the drivers.  (FREEMAN)