LGUs on alert for ‘Undas’

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday instructed all local government units (LGUs) be on alert during the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day weekend.

DILG Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento asked local chief executives to convene their local peace and order councils to formulate a peace and order and public safety contingency measures to prevent untoward incidents during the “Undas” weekend.

“It is better if we plan and prepare so as not to hamper our tradition of visiting our departed loved ones,” said Sarmiento.

It is vital, Sarmiento stressed, that LGUs mobilize and deploy law enforcers, barangay tanods, and medical personnel in the vicinity of public and private cemeteries and memorial parks to ensure the safety of cemetery visitors.

“We also need authorities to be deployed in certain roads since they can help motorists and maintain traffic going to cemeteries),” he said.

“Let us guard critical areas within our localities in order to avoid the entry and escape of those who wish to take advantage of the occasion to carry out crimes,” he added.

According to Sarmiento, local authorities should also see to it that cleanliness and orderliness in cemeteries and other public places before, during and after Undas 2015 are maintained.

“Malaki ang respeto at pagpapahalaga ng mga Pilipino sa kanilang mga yumao kaya inaasahan ko na gagawin natin ang lahat ng hakbang para masigurong payapa at ligtas ang Undas, (Filipinos have deep respect for the dead and this is why I expect LGUs to take these measures to ensure a safe and successful holiday),” he said.