Mayor Celso Lobregat has called on all sectors to strictly comply with the rules and regulations set by the local government and concerned agencies to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2, respectively.

Mayor Lobregat refers to provisions of two executive orders he issued recently promulgating rules and regulations for strict compliance in cemeteries and authorizing the implementation of a temporary traffic rerouting scheme on all roads leading to public and private cemeteries.

Executive Order CL 363-2002 issued on October 6, 2010 directs the Police Traffic Section through City Police OIC director Col. Edwin de Ocampo to plan, adopt and implement a temporary traffic rerouting scheme on all roads leading to public and private cemeteries to take effect from 5:30 a.m. of November 1 to 5 p.m. of the following day on observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

Under the same order, the city’s traffic aides are also directed to render work on the said days in close coordination with the traffic section of the police.

Executive Order CL 362-2002 also issued Oct. 6, on the other hand bans the bringing of bladed weapons, firearms and other similar items including the bringing, selling and drinking of liquor inside all cemetery premises. The putting up of the temporary stalls and the selling of food, beverages, candles and other items within the 20 meter space leading to the entrance/ gate of the cemetery is likewise prohibited so as to ensure free and unhampered flow of vehicular and human traffic, based on the order.

Likewise EO 362 prohibits the playing of loud music from radio/ stereo cassettes or communicating through microphones, any type of gambling and the use of firecrackers. All motor vehicles shall be parked at designated areas outside the cemetery.

“We appeal to all concerned to cooperate and support all measures intended to guarantee the peaceful and orderly observance of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Violators of the said executive order are to be conducted to the police station for investigation and filing of suit, if so warranted, under existing laws and ordinances or the imposition of fines as the case may be.

Mayor Lobregat together with Col. Edwin de Ocampo, officer in charge of the local police and Task Force Zamboanga Commander Col. Pascual led a meeting the other day in City Hall that resulted in the finalization of all measures to ensure law and order in the cemeteries Monday and Tuesday when people flock to the tombs of their departed loved ones.

In compliance with Mayor Lobregat’s EO, it was agreed that the City Police under Col. De Ocampo will deploy uniformed personnel for security and traffic measures on all roads leading to major public and private cemeteries within the seven-kilometer radius. This is on top of the police personnel coming from the different police precincts.

The City Health Office under Dr. Rodel Agbulos in coordination with the Department of Health-Regional Office 9 will lead in the health aspect of the entire “Undas” operation by deploying health teams in all cemeteries.

On traffic, certain roads are declared one way going to the cemeteries such as the one in San Roque, Tumaga-Lunzuran, De Leon St. in Sta. Maria, Don Toribio in Tetuan and all other roads to be designated later. Barricades and signboards will also be set up for public guidance. Parking spaces will also be provided, depending on the availability of areas for the purpose in each cemetery.

Meanwhile, Malacanang has declared that Nov. 2, All Souls’ Day is not a holiday. Nov. 1, All Saints’ Day is a holiday nationwide.