Gov't, cemeteries prepare for Undas 2026

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Various government agencies, transportation hubs and cemeteries are preparing for the influx of visitors during the commemoration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, collectively known as Undas.

In Bernadette Reyes' "24 Oras" Weekend report on Saturday, cleaners at the Manila North Cemetery began tidying the grounds, while others repainted tombs ahead of the annual observance.

“Para maginhawa… malinis… Marami po mga tao pag minsan, kaya maaga na po kami naglinis,” said Jess Paras, one of the workers cleaning tombs.

(So it will be more comfortable and clean. There are a lot of people sometimes, so we cleaned up early.)

Cleaning and refurbishing tombs at the Manila North Cemetery will be allowed only until Oct. 27, while the deadline at the Manila South Cemetery is Oct. 26.

Both cemeteries have issued visitor guidelines ahead of Undas.

From Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, vehicles will not be allowed inside the cemeteries.

Visitors are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, smoking, gambling, bringing sharp objects and using loudspeakers.

Meanwhile, tickets remained readily available at transport hubs as of two weeks before Undas.

The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange is expecting two million passengers from Oct. 25 to Nov. 4, with about 20,000 passengers expected on Oct. 30 alone.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police said they will double the number of police officers deployed for Undas compared with last year’s 50,000.

Local government units will also deploy force multipliers to help maintain peace and order.

In Davao City, the City Economic Enterprise has begun cleaning public cemeteries, while the city’s Safety and Security Cluster has issued guidelines in preparation for the observance.—Jean Mangaluz/MCG, GMA News

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