Internal transport systems faced stark operational adjustments across Metro Manila’s major burial grounds on Sunday morning as surging All Saints’ Day crowds packed access roads and tested site management protocols.
At Manila North Cemetery, severe congestion forced management to halt internal shuttle operations after vehicle pathways became completely impassable under the weight of incoming visitors.
Cemetery Director Daniel Tan confirmed the suspension, noting that vehicles could no longer navigate through the dense crowds filling the internal avenues.
“Opo, hindi na po makagalaw,” Tan told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday morning.
The cemetery logged an initial count of around 30,000 visitors by 8:46 a.m., which escalated sharply to 124,800 visitors by 9 a.m.
“Dumadami na po. Ngayong araw na ito, ang estimate naming ay nasa 30,000 na po ang dumadating. Tuloy-tuloy po ang pagdating ng tao,” Tan said.
Despite the heavy foot traffic, Tan noted high public compliance with safety rules, reporting minimal confiscations of contraband due to early public announcements.
“Hindi na masyado. Last month pa sinabi na wag na magdala. Mukha naming nakikisama naman sila,” Tan also said.
Tan reiterated that pet bans remain strictly enforced at the gates to prevent animal bites or scratches caused by high temperatures and tight crowds.
“Hindi po talaga pinapapasok ‘yun. Baka mamaya sa init ng panahon, maka-kalmot, makakagat,” he added.
In contrast, Manila South Cemetery maintained its internal transport network, utilizing 30 electric tricycles and ground staff to assist visitors along clear thoroughfares.
Director Rafael Mendez reported that internal roads remained open to traffic, allowing wheelchair deployments and shuttle rides to operate smoothly despite anticipating up to one million visitors over the Undas period.
“Mayroon tayong wheelchair assistance pagpasok, mayroon po tayong 30 pieces na e-trikes, still passable po,” Mendez told Super Radyo dzBB.
“Ang expectation natin ay nasa 600,000 hanggang one million,” he also said.
Mendez noted that safety measures have successfully prevented lost child incidents during the holiday influx.
“Wala po. Mayroon tayong wrist tagging na ipinapatupad para maiwasan ‘yung pagkawala nila po,” Mendez added.