MMDA to deploy over 1,200 personnel for Undas 2024

More than 1,200 personnel will be deployed to manage traffic as well as the peace and order during Undas or All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Friday.

“On the part of the MMDA, we will be deploying 1,257 personnel. Bawal po mag-leave. Bawal din pong mag-day off. Ang nakikita po nating dates ay from October 20 to November 4,” MMDA chairperson Romando Artes said at a press conference after an inter-agency meeting.

(On the part of the MMDA, we will be deploying 1,257 personnel. They are prohibited from taking a leave or day off. The dates we are looking at are from October 20 to November 4.)

During Undas, which is observed on November 1 and 2, many people are expected to go to their provinces and visit their departed loved ones at cemeteries.

Artes said local government units and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy their own personnel.

“Ang concern dyan, traffic, security at emergency response…Alam naman natin kailangan mag-maintain peace and order doon at i-regulate ang traffic para hindi ma-traffic ang ating mga kababayan,” he said.

(The concern there is the traffic, security and emergency response... We need to maintain peace and order there and regulate traffic so that our countrymen will not be stuck on traffic.)

“May ordinance tayo bawal ang alak, patalim or deadly weapons, bawal ang maingay sa sementeryo. So makakatulong natin ang kapulisan para sa pag-maintain peace and order sa sementeryo,” he added.

(We have an ordinance that prohibits alcohol, knives or deadly weapons, and it is prohibited to make noise in the cemetery. So the police can help us maintain peace and order in the cemetery.)

According to Artes, among the major cemeteries that the MMDA will monitor during Undas include the  Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, Bagbag Public Cemetery, Loyola Memorial Park, and San Juan Public Cemetery.

Command posts and help desks will be established at terminals for public assistance and medical assistance, he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News