AHEAD of the traditional observance of Undas, the local government unit (LGU) of Marikina City has kicked off early preparations across local cemeteries to guarantee a clean, orderly, and safe environment for visiting families.
On Monday, October 12, Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro officially mobilized the Ligtas na Undas Task Force—composed of various municipal departments and offices—to spearhead comprehensive cleaning and clearing operations.
The early mobilization targets public and private cemeteries expected to draw heavy crowds later this month.
“Ang marching order ko: bago dumagsa ang mga tao, nakahanda na ang ating mga tauhan at maayos na ang lugar para sa Undas,” Mayor Teodoro stated, emphasizing that personnel and facilities must be fully prepared before the public influx begins.
To ensure public safety and smooth mobility, the mayor ordered the immediate clearing of all pathways, entrances, and exits within cemetery perimeters.
These measures aim to facilitate seamless foot traffic for visitors while maintaining unobstructed corridors for ambulances and emergency response vehicles.
Furthermore, the task force was directed to finalize a comprehensive deployment blueprint covering law enforcement, traffic management, crowd control, and first-aid stations.
Mayor Teodoro underscored accountability, instructing teams to establish clear lines of communication and assign specific focal persons for rapid incident response.
Routine inspection crews have also been tasked with submitting regular updates to spot and resolve potential issues early.
Marikina’s major memorial sites—including Loyola Memorial Park, Barangka Municipal Cemetery, Aglipay Cemetery, Holy Child Cemetery, Our Lady of the Abandoned (OLA) Cemetery, and St. Paul of the Cross Parish Columbarium—are covered under the deployment plan.
Alongside Undas preparations, Mayor Teodoro announced that an inventory of remains and identity tracking are currently underway at the Barangka Cemetery to pave the way for a major upcoming facility renovation.
Personnel were instructed to meticulously cross-reference burial records with actual grave sites, document all processes, and maintain transparent communication with affected families.
Stressing compassion and diligence, the mayor reminded workers: “May mga mahal sa buhay na nakahimlay rito, kaya gawin natin ang lahat nang may pag-iingat at paggalang.”