Police to start dry run for Kalag-kalag today

CEBU, Philippines — Preparations for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are already in full swing with the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) holding a dry run today.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will also conduct inspections of all cemeteries to determine possible glitches ahead and make the necessary corrective measures.

 Supt. Emilie Santos, deputy city director for operations of CCPO, said she had already met with the commanders of 11 police stations in the city. She said the dry-run was proposed by San Nicolas Police Station chief Allan Rosario for them to familiarize their areas of assignment.

At least 300 police officers doing administrative works will be deployed to patrol in cemeteries, said Santos. She assured that the regular police operations will continue and will not be affected by their deployment in cemeteries.

CCPO director Senior Supt. Royina Garma said those who are assigned in beat patrol will remain in their post.

She ordered to start the information dissemination on what are allowed and prohibited things to bring in cemeteries. Starting today, the police will also set up information desks.

The police are expecting over 1.5 million people to visit the cemeteries in Metro Cebu.

Inspection

CCDRRMO chief Nagiel Bañacia said they start inspecting the public cemeteries from Pardo to Talamban on Monday to determine possible problems ahead.

Bañacia said the inspection team will be composed of personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Office of the Building Official (OBO), among others.

He said that deployment of fire trucks, ambulances, and medical personnel is part of the disaster management plan for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Bañacia said the BFP will also start informing the public on how to avoid fire incidents during the occasion.

Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the committee on public order and safety, said the city government will start the deployment of emergency responders on October 30. At least 10 ambulances will be on standby to respond to any emergencies. There will be nine fire trucks to be deployed in major cemeteries.

The city will also tap the help of the barangay tanods as far as security is concerned.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) is also in full alert for the occasion. CCTO operations chief Francisco Ouano said that all traffic enforcers were not allowed to take a day off starting this week. He said around 300 traffic enforcers will be deployed to man the traffic on the streets, especially near the cemeteries. — FPL (FREEMAN)