Local government units (LGUs) through their local disaster risk reduction and management council (LDRRMC) are advised to put in place their contingency plan in preparation for “Undas” 2021, or the commemoration of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2, respectively.

In an interview on Monday, Cindy Ferrer, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) information officer and spokesperson for the regional DRRMC, said OCD-Western Visayas director Jose Roberto Nuñez has issued a memorandum reminding LGUs, especially municipal DRRM officers, to prepare in case they will open local cemeteries to the public for the occasion.

She said they do not want to preempt the decision of governors and mayors, but it is better to prepare considering that safety measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) have to be implemented while areas of the region are under general community quarantine (GCQ).

“We need to prepare for this, especially the deployment of our medical and response teams to ensure that minimum public health standards are observed and be able to respond in case of untoward incidents that may transpire in cemeteries,” Ferrer said.

In the order, the LGUs are also advised to “intensify road safety measures”, she added.

Ferrer likewise said LGUs are encouraged to furnish the OCD with a copy of their contingency plan and preparedness measures for consolidation not later than October 28.

Last week, she said the agency’s Regional Incident Management Team (RIMT) visited several LGUs in Iloilo province including the towns of Oton, San Miguel, New Lucena, Leganes, Maasin, and Dumangas to discuss their Undas preparation.

“Most of them are waiting for the executive order of Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. so whatever that they need to implement will be uniform in all municipalities,” Ferrer said.

This week, the RIMT will be in the provinces of Aklan and Capiz. (PNA)