Lobregat issues EOS for All Saints’ Day
After the successful conduct of the 2009 Fiesta Hermosa Festival, the city government in coordination with the police, military and other agencies is pre-occupied with preparations for the forthcoming observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day when people flock to the cemeteries to visit their departed loved ones.
This, as Mayor Celso Lobregat issued Executive orders 292 and 293 authorizing the implementation of a temporary traffic rerouting scheme on all roads leading to public and private cemeteries from Nov. 1-2 and promulgating rules and regulations for strict compliance during two-day event.
Issued on October 14, 2009, EO 292 directs the Police Traffic Section through City Police OIC director Col. Amador Corpus 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.
Lobregat in his order said the two-day event is expected to draw thousands of people from all walks of life to burial sites that will cause traffic problems.
“It is the responsibility of the city government to see to it that traffic is smooth, orderly and convenient to the public during the observance of this religious activity,” the mayor said in his order.
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.
On the other hand, EO 293 states the ban on the bringing of bladed weapons, firearms and other similar items inside the cemetery premises including the bringing, selling and drinking of liquor inside all cemeteries.
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, the order states.
Likewise EO 293 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.
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 City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. is expected to call for meetings with the different agencies concerned in the days to come to ensure the orderly and peaceful observance of the activities from Nov. 1-2. (Sheila Covarrubias)