The police and the coast guard are on heightened alert status for the observance of All Saints’ Day on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on November 2 or Undas.
Security preparations for Undas in Bacolod City are already in place to make the activity orderly and peaceful as well as safe from Covid-19, Col. Thomas Joseph Martir, acting city police director, said Friday, October 29.
He said the police headquarters along with its stations and units are already alerted for deployment in various public and private cemeteries in their respective areas of responsibility even with its temporary closure on October 30 to November 2.
The Bacolod City Police Office has also established public assistance desks at the entrances and premises of cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria to assist people who visited their departed loved ones early as this week, he said.
The police were also tasked to see to it that these cemeteries remain closed during the period.
Martir also ordered his men to implement the minimum public health protocols against COVID-19 such as wearing of face masks and shields, and physical distancing, along with the observance of liquor ban and curfew hours.
The BCPO head also encouraged the public to observe the traditional celebration peacefully and carefully.
INFLUX OF PASSENGERS
Capt. Edgar Ybanez, newly-installed commander of the Coast Guard District Western Visayas (CGDWV), said they are expecting an increase in passengers coming home for Undas this weekend.
He said they are closely monitoring all the ports and have deployed their K9 units in anticipation of the incoming passengers.
He also reminded the traveling public to follow the health protocols.
Meanwhile, Ybañez said he already met all the substation commanders and directed them to prioritize the enforcement of the law, especially on illegal fishing.
He also said that CGS Negros Occidental will be divided into two stations with the formation of CGS Southern Negros. He added they are only waiting for the orders from the higher headquarters.*