A TOTAL of 13,995 security personnel will be deployed to all cemeteries to secure visitors paying respects to their dead loved ones during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) said Thursday.
During the iSpeak media forum on Thursday, PSSO head Angel Sumagaysay announced that full deployment will run from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, while “soft deployment” starts Oct. 29 and 30 under Oplan Undas.
The figure is a consolidated number from different units, averaging 3,497 personnel per day from integrated forces.
“All cemeteries, including those in far-flung areas, will have personnel assigned,” Sumagaysay said.
The city manages 11 public cemeteries and 15 private ones, while there are 27 cemeteries managed by the barangays.
Sumagaysay said there will be a much larger number of personnel deployed in the cemeteries in Poblacion, Calinan, and Toril, as they are identified as areas with the heaviest concentration of visitors.
The official reiterated that overnight stays in cemeteries are strictly prohibited, with the exception of Orchard Cemetery, where security personnel will also be deployed.
Most cemeteries close at 8 p.m., and security personnel will be the last to leave each site to ensure compliance.
Traffic plan
Meanwhile, Leonardo Pamplona, Division Chief of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) Traffic Enforcement Division, said it will deploy 700 enforcers in two shifts of 350 each.
Deployment will be maximized in the Poblacion, with heavier traffic expected around Davao Memorial, Wireless, Buhangin, Chinese, and Forest Lake cemeteries.
“More personnel will be posted in these areas because major intersections cannot be left unattended,” Pamplona said.
The official reminded motorists heading to cemetery areas to expect rerouting, one-way schemes, and parking bans on Nov. 1 and 2 as a traffic plan takes effect for Undas 2026.
At Davao Memorial Park, a sidewalk lane will be provided for pedestrians. The outermost lane along McArthur Highway going south will be reserved for vehicles entering the park, while the two inner lanes will be for southbound traffic.
Vehicles leaving the park may not turn left and must turn right onto Quimpo Boulevard, while those coming from the south are also barred from turning left into the park.
Trucks coming from the north and heading south may not enter the area and must use C.P. Garcia Highway, or Quimpo Boulevard; meanwhile, utility buses coming from Ma-a Road must use McArthur Highway, Sandawa, and Quimpo Boulevard.
Loading and unloading areas are designated along the portion after Alexian Brothers.
For the San Pedro, Forest Lake, Orchard, Masonic, Wireless, and Catholic cemeteries, traffic will be one-way from Fr. Selga Street (corner F. Torres) to Circumferential Road (Sarenas St. corner Jade St.). Entry from Fr. Selga Street corner Circumferential Road to Catholic Cemetery will be regulated.
Vehicles bound for San Pedro Memorial or Forest Lake may take Jade St. and turn left to Turquoise St. Those going to Forest Lake may also use San Rafael St. (Gold St.), Silver St., and Copper St. Parking is prohibited in front of all cemeteries along Circumferential Road.
At the Chinese Cemetery, traffic will be one-way along Sarenas Road from Gahol St. to Bacaca Road. Parking is prohibited near the cemetery along Circumferential Road. Vehicles coming from Bacaca Road may take J.P. Laurel Avenue, turn right onto Gahol St., then right onto Sarenas St.
At Buhangin Memorial Park, traffic will be one-way along Cabantian Road from Buhangin Milan to its corner with Mamay Road. Entry along Cabantian-Jehovah Road toward the park will not be allowed; vehicles may instead use Mamay Extension and turn right to C.P. Garcia Highway, then right to Buhangin Road. Parking is prohibited in front of the park along Cabantian Road.
Traffic advisories and signs will be posted in some areas to guide motorists and pedestrians.
Motorists are urged to plan their trips ahead, use alternative routes where applicable, and observe temporary traffic signs on-site for safety and orderly traffic flow.
