Makati gears up for ‘Undas’ 2016: Number coding suspended on October 31 & November 1

To ensure the orderly and peaceful observance of ‘Undas’ or All Saints’ Day on November 1 and 2, key offices of the city government, together with the Makati Police Department, are all set to implement measures. As is customary during holidays, the number coding scheme will be suspended in Makati on October 31 and November 1.

Four public assistance stations set up in strategic areas in the vicinity of Manila South Cemetery will be manned by personnel of the Makati Action Center, Makati Health Department, and Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. 

The stations will provide wheelchairs for senior citizens and free blood pressure monitoring, and medical emergency teams will also be on hand to provide assistance if needed. These will be positioned in the following areas: between Makati Catholic Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery; South Avenue corner Kalayaan Avenue; Vito Cruz corner South Avenue, in front of South Cemetery; and Metropolitan Avenue corner South Avenue. 

For security and order, the Makati police will screen visitors for prohibited items and implement measures to regulate vendors and parking inside or within the vicinity of Manila South Cemetery. Visitors are also advised to take care of small children and secure their belongings while inside the cemetery. The police will confiscate prohibited items inside the cemetery, which include firearms, bladed weapons, liquors, loudspeakers and amplifiers. 

Meanwhile, designated areas for selling food and drinks are only allowed outside the cemetery. Cars and motorcycle parking will be available along Ayala Avenue Extension and Metropolitan Avenue. Cleanliness in the area will be maintained by personnel from the city Department of Environmental Services through continuous clean-up operations. 

Starting at midnight on October 31, the city government will implement a traffic rerouting plan to ease the flow of traffic within the vicinity of Manila South Cemetery, which will remain in effect until midnight of November 2. 

The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic: Kalayaan Avenue – from Zapote Street to N. Garcia St.; South Avenue – from Metropolitan to JP Rizal; Vito Cruz – from South Avenue to Zapote St.; and Pililia St. – from JP Rizal to Kalayaan Avenue. To be opened to two-way traffic are J.P. Rizal – from Pasong Tirad to Makati Avenue; and Kalayaan Avenue – from Pasong Tirad to Zapote St. One-way traffic will be in effect in Kalayaan Avenue from N. Garcia to Makati Avenue; and Metropolitan Avenue from South Avenue to N. Garcia. Motorists are advised to expect heavy traffic and take alternate routes and avoid the South Cemetery Area. MAPSA traffic enforcers and barangay deputies will be deployed to assist in traffic management and extend assistance to motorists and the general public.