The Iloilo City Government is gearing up for a major influx of visitors across public and private cemeteries in the city during this year’s Piyesta Minatay or Undas observance.
Darwin Papa, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) disaster division, said they are expecting around 250,000 to 350,000 people to visit the city’s 10 public and nine private burial grounds.
Based on monitoring from previous years, Papa said heavy crowds are anticipated not only on Nov. 1 (All Saints’ Day) but will likely extend through Nov. 2 (All Souls’ Day).
To maintain peace and order, the city government is coordinating a joint security and emergency management plan with the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), and local barangay officials.
First responders, medical teams, and police assistance desks will be stationed at cemetery entrances and high-density areas across all city districts to manage crowd control and handle potential emergencies.
The city government city also issued guidelines and a list of prohibited items inside cemeteries to ensure an orderly commemoration.
Prohibited items include Alcoholic beverages, firearms, bladed weapons, flammable materials, gambling equipment (cards/bingo), and videoke or loud sound systems.IMT
