The Manila North Cemetery is expecting around two million visitors throughout Undas 2026 as authorities ramp up security measures to manage the anticipated influx of people paying respects to their departed loved ones.
In a television interview, Manila North Cemetery Director Daniel Tan said the cemetery was fully prepared for the expected crowd, particularly from Friday through Monday.
“Sa Undas, inaasahan namin itong whole week na ‘to, more or less makaka-two million po tayo dahil nataon po na Friday, Saturday, at saka Monday, talagang dadagsain tayo,” Tan said.
The cemetery expected around 50,000 visitors on Tuesday, the final day of cleaning, repairing, and painting graves ahead of Undas.
Wednesday will be the last day for interment at the cemetery. From Thursday through Monday, all types of vehicles will be prohibited from entering the premises as part of measures to manage the expected crowd.
Tan said the cemetery recorded around 17,000 visitors on Saturday, 67,000 on Sunday, and 20,000 on Monday.
To strengthen security, additional closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are being installed, bringing the total number of cameras inside the cemetery to 125.
Security personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the City Security Force (CSF), local government units, and national government agencies have also been deployed to help maintain peace and order throughout the observance.
Tan reminded the public to follow cemetery rules and refrain from bringing prohibited items to ensure the safety of visitors and the orderly entry of people into the grounds.
Prohibited items and activities include alcoholic beverages, gambling materials such as mahjong and playing cards, animals, sound systems, and musical instruments, including guitars.
Sharp objects such as spatulas, knives, and machetes, as well as firearms, are also prohibited inside the cemetery during Undas.
Tan also said that wearing balaclavas and helmets inside the cemetery is prohibited under a Manila city ordinance for public safety.
However, visitors cleaning and preparing graves on Tuesday were still allowed to bring paint, paint thinner, machetes, and other cutting tools as part of the final day of grave maintenance before the Undas period.