Iloilo city: The local government and the Iloilo City Police (ICPO) have made comprehensive arrangements to maintain peace, security, and traffic management during the observance of Undas 2025. In a press conference, ICPO Director Col. Kim Legada announced the deployment of over 1,100 uniformed personnel to cemeteries throughout the city.
According to Philippines News Agency, the deployment strategy will be contingent upon the size of the area and the layout of entrances and exits of the cemeteries. Notably, areas under the jurisdiction of Iloilo City Police Stations 3 and 9 encompass six cemeteries. The ICPO will collaborate with the Bureau of Fire Protection, Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Philippine Red Cross, and the City Public Order and Safety Management Office (POSMO) to set up police assistance desks and ensure a coordinated approach.
From October 29 to November 3, the ICPO will be on full alert, deploying all its uniformed personnel. Uldarico Garbanzos, head of POSMO and the Iloilo City Traffic Management Office, stated that 380 personnel will be assigned to manage traffic. Last year's Undas saw heavy traffic in public cemeteries located in Cuartero in Jaro, Molo, and Arevalo, as well as large private cemeteries like Forest Lake, Christ the King, and Green Garden.
Traffic management will include road closures near large cemeteries, such as the Jereos extension road leading to the Roman Catholic cemetery in La Paz, routes to Cuartero cemetery in Jaro district, and several others. Garbanzos mentioned that these closures would be flexible, subject to operational needs and supervisor assessments.
Executive Order No. 108 will be enforced, prohibiting alcoholic beverages, hazardous items, unregistered drones, unlicensed firearms, gambling, large speakers, overnight stays, and littering inside cemeteries. Additionally, Hannah Almira Rubio, officer-in-charge for the Special Services Division, stated that while selling flowers inside cemeteries is banned, 340 flower vendors have been issued special permits to sell in five designated city areas.
