Undas in Iloilo: Pack water, guard phones, skip jewelry

ILOILO CITY — Up to 350,000 people are expected to visit Iloilo City cemeteries from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3. City and provincial authorities are tightening security and warning visitors against theft, heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and dengue.

This year, All Saints’ Day falls on Sunday, Nov. 1, and All Souls’ Day on Monday, Nov. 2. The observance is known nationally as Undas and locally as Kalag-Kalag, when families visit the graves of departed relatives.

This year, All Saints’ Day falls on Sunday, Nov. 1, and All Souls’ Day on Monday, Nov. 2. The observance is known nationally as Undas and locally as Kalag-Kalag, when families visit the graves of departed relatives.

The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said the expected influx, combined with prevailing weather conditions, calls for stronger preparations.

Darwin Joemil Papa, head of the CDRRMO’s Disaster Response Section, said the estimate was based on the office’s monitoring records.

“For this year, we are expecting in the span of four days, from October 31 to November 3, depending on our residents, we’re expecting an influx of around 250,000 to 350,000 individuals who will come home,” he said in a press conference on Thursday.

“Although it is no longer the same as before, when people converge on November 1, definitely, with the volume of those coming in plus the weather conditions that we face, we need to double up our preparation to ensure the safety of our residents,” Papa added.

Aside from security concerns, the CDRRMO is preparing for possible medical emergencies. Hypertension-related incidents were among the most common cases recorded during last year’s Undas.

Papa said high temperatures and overcrowding in cemeteries could raise visitors’ blood pressure and trigger other health problems.

“The most common cases we handle are hypertension-related incidents. Because of the temperature and overcrowding, people start feeling unwell,” he said.

The CDRRMO has coordinated with water providers to set up water stations in major cemeteries. These include Forest Lake, the Iloilo City Public Cemetery, the Jaro Public Cemetery, and the cemeteries in Molo and Tanza.

Emergency response teams attended to an average of 50 medical emergencies per cemetery last year, Papa said.

Only about five cases per cemetery required hospital referral. Most were handled through on-site medical assessment, rest, and hydration.

Papa advised senior citizens and people with pre-existing medical conditions to avoid visiting cemeteries if possible, particularly during extreme heat and heavy crowding.

“As much as we want to prevent it, this is already our tradition, and it cannot really be avoided. There will always be people who will visit,” he added.

He advised the public to bring drinking water and protection against the heat.

Province warns of heat, dengue risks

The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) also urged the public to prioritize health and safety as families in the province prepare for cemetery visits.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rodney Labis reminded cemeterygoers to take precautions against heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and dengue.

“As we observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office reminds everyone to stay healthy and safe,” Labis said in a statement.

He advised the public to visit cemeteries early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid heavy traffic and excessive heat.

Those planning extended visits should take breaks in shaded areas.

Visitors on maintenance medications should take their prescribed medicines on time before leaving home.

They are also encouraged to bring enough drinking water and food to prevent dehydration and hunger.

Labis reminded the public not to bring sharp objects or alcoholic beverages into cemeteries.

Visitors should also follow traffic rules and other regulations imposed by authorities.

He encouraged cemeterygoers to find out where local government units (LGUs) and health responders will set up first-aid stations.

Labis also stressed the need for continued vigilance against dengue, saying cases remain high in several municipalities in the province.

Earlier this year, the IPHO reported 604 dengue cases and two deaths province-wide, citing Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit data. These figures were lower than in the previous year.

Labis advised the public to avoid areas with stagnant water, which can serve as mosquito breeding sites.

He also recommended wearing long-sleeved clothing and pants and applying mosquito repellent to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

Senior citizens, pregnant women, and people with existing medical conditions need special attention.

Labis urged families to make sure these individuals have companions and get proper assistance throughout their cemetery visits, especially in crowded and hot conditions.

“Those who experience dizziness, difficulty breathing, or other unusual symptoms should immediately seek assistance from the nearest first-aid station or health facility,” he said.

Labis called on LGUs, local health offices, health facilities, and other stakeholders to prepare adequately for the expected influx of visitors.

He stressed the need to set up first-aid stations in cemeteries expected to draw large crowds. He also called for emergency responders, medical supplies, and other essential resources to be ready.

“As we remember our departed loved ones, we should not forget to take responsibility for ourselves and our families. Let us stay safe and help one another for the welfare of everyone,” Labis said.

Beware of theft, pickpocketing

Police Col. Wilbert Parilla, director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), said theft and pickpocketing remain among the most common crimes during Undas because of the large crowds in cemeteries.

“Most of the time, it is pickpocketing. With the large number of people, thieves find an opportunity to steal. There are also cases when you leave your cellphone unattended even for a short while, and when you look back, it is already gone,” Parilla said.

He advised the public to keep valuables secure and to avoid wearing jewelry to cemeteries so they do not attract thieves.

The ICPO will deploy 479 personnel to cemeteries and other strategic areas from Saturday to Monday, Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, to keep the peace.

Intelligence personnel and screening teams will also be posted at cemetery entrances to keep prohibited items out.

Asked whether cemeteries where prominent personalities are buried would get special security arrangements, Parilla said all cemeteries would receive the same level of police deployment.

Parilla also reminded residents to secure their homes before leaving for cemeteries or traveling outside the city. He warned against posting travel plans on social media.

“They don’t have to post on Facebook where they are leaving, where they are going, what time and when they will leave,” he said.

Publicly sharing travel schedules could tell criminals when houses will be empty, he explained.

“We have received reports of houses being broken into, especially when criminals know that no one has been left behind. So there is a big possibility that these houses will be burglarized,” Parilla added.

He advised residents to lock their homes and, if possible, ask neighbors to watch over their property while they are away.

BFP warns against fire incidents

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reminded the public to observe fire safety precautions from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7, citing fires recorded during the same period last year.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Denmark B. Macoco, acting chief of the Intelligence and Investigation Unit of the Iloilo City Fire Station, said the agency recorded seven fire incidents during last year’s Undas period.

Two of these fires were caused by candles on home altars. Another fire, on Nov. 1, started from an electric fan that was left plugged in and switched on while the homeowners were away.

Macoco advised residents to unplug all electrical appliances before leaving home.

Those who light candles on home altars should make sure the candles are secured, cannot easily topple over, and are kept away from flammable materials such as curtains, paper, and cloth.

“Before leaving the house, make sure all appliances are unplugged. If you really need to place candles on the altar, ensure that they are secured and cannot easily topple over,” Macoco said.

For traffic management, the Traffic and Parking Management Office and the Public Order and Safety Management Office have deployed 386 traffic enforcers for the Undas observance.