The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will implement next week an operations plan to ensure an orderly observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, November 1 and 2 when thousands are expected to visit the graves of their loved ones.

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said over 2,300 agency personnel will be deployed in key areas around the metropolis upon the reactivation of Oplan Kaluluwa 2019 from October 30 until November 4 to carry out initiatives that would provide assistance to the general public.

In order to accommodate more passengers going to provinces and back, the implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding for provincial buses is lifted on October 31, Thursday and November 4, Monday.

The number coding scheme for both private and public vehicles is automatically lifted on November 1, Friday.

“A no-day off, no absent policy will be enforced among our traffic enforcers on October 31, November 1 and November 4,” said Lim.

Members of the Traffic Discipline Office shall be positioned on major thoroughfares, bus terminals and other transport hubs; and monitor major cemeteries, including Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City, Loyola Memorial Park and San Juan Public Cemetery.

“We shall conduct random/on-the-spot breathalyzer tests on bus drivers to determine whether or not they are under the influence of alcohol. Should they fail, they would not be allowed to drive unless they take a rest,” Lim added.

The Road Emergency Group (REG) shall set up public assistance centers and preposition ambulances at Manila North Cemetery, Loyola Memorial in Marikina, Bagbag Pubic Cemetery, San Juan Public Cemetery, Philtranco in Pasay and Araneta Terminal Station to provide public assistance and rescue services.

Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG) shall provide assistance to commuters; help carry the baggage of passengers at bus terminals and ensure the orderliness of the roads and sidewalks.

Metro Parkway Clearing Group (MPCG) shall be responsible for the cleanliness in the surroundings of cemeteries before and after November 1.

Tasked monitoring groups are members of Metrobase Command Center, Digital Media Group, and operators of the mobile Metrobase command centers — Agila 1 and Agila 2 for emergency and security surveillance operations. (MMDA)