Absolutely no parking on both sides of the roads leading to all public and private cemeteries all over the city during the observance of “All Saints Day” and “All Souls Day” or “Todos Los Santos Y Depuntos” on Nov. 1 and 2, respectively.

Parking areas may be provided, however, depending on the availability of vacant lots whether private or public near the cemeteries.

This was emphasized during the meeting initiated yesterday morning by the city government together with the local police force, the military, barangay officials and other stakeholders as they discussed the security measures and contingency plans that will be implemented during the two-day religious observance.

Police deployment in all cemeteries will be augmented by personnel from Task Force Zamboanga and other force multipliers like the barangay tanod, kagawad and members of the Barangay Intelligence Network (BINs), among others.

As in the previous years, traffic rerouting scheme, public assistance desks and other safety prohibitions will also be enforced in all cemeteries, where thousands of people are expected to converge to visit their departed loved ones—a religious tradition mostly among Christians during “All Saints Day,” which is a regular holiday.

Mayor Beng Climaco will issue next week an executive order directing the traffic rerouting scheme, prohibiting bringing of bladed weapons, drinking of liquor, gambling and playing of loud music inside the cemetery premises, among others. The implementing plan (Implan) is focused on barangays where there are big cemeteries like Sinunuc, Upper Calarian, San Roque, Sta. Maria, Tumaga, Tetuan, Talon-Talon, Divisoria, Mercedes, Boalan, Lumbangan, Lumiyap and Lunzuran.-(Vic Larato)