The Manila Police District (MPD) on Thursday inspected the records of some 2,000 people living inside the Manila South Cemetery, in preparation for the observance of Undas.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) meanwhile has mapped out plans to accommodate thousands of people going to and from Manila in time for the traditional observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, and Christmas celebration.
The Manila South Cemetery is owned and managed by the Manila City Government.
According to a report on GMA’s “24 Oras,” the cemetery’s management called the inspection as “Oplan Galugad” while the Sta. Ana Police Station of the Manila Police District (MPD) dubbed it a “census.”
“We are verifying if they have a previous record, so we can know. Also, if they are on the list of residents here in South Cemetery,” P/Major Jake Arcilla, chief of the Sta. Ana Police Station said
The MPD said the inspection came after police served an arrest warrant last week for one person living inside the cemetery for homicide. Three other residents were also caught in the act of using illegal drugs.
Asked why people are allowed to live inside the cemetery, Manila South Cemetery director Jonathan Garzo said that residents help a lot in maintaining peace and order.
“First of all, there are only a few city security forces and personnel here. Right now, there are around 12 city security forces. So now, we are asking residents to help us with peace and order,” he said.
MIAA acting general manager Cesar Chiong meanwhile said the eased travel restrictions and the successful vaccination program of the government against COVID-19 brought confidence among air travelers as seen in the continuing increase in passenger statistics over the recent months.
He said the total monthly passenger traffic at NAIA has already reached 77% of pre-pandemic levels or around 3 million passengers for the month of August 2022.
Domestic traffic has so far peaked to around 109% or 1.94 million passengers compared to the same period in 2019 while international passenger traffic remains to be at just over 50% or 1.06 million passengers of pre pandemic levels. International travel, on the other hand, has been gradually recovering as more destinations like Japan and South Korea lift their strict border restrictions.
To cope up with the expected surge in passenger traffic this season, MIAA joins the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in its preparations for the annual OPLAN Biyaheng Ayos this Undas and Christmas holidays.
A composite team of MIAA personnel from the public affairs, operations, police and medical units shall be available to assist passengers at the Oplan Help desks. These desks will be the focal point for all inquiries relating to airport and airline concerns while personnel from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) will be nearby to attend to issues pertaining to passenger rights under the Air Passenger Bill of Rights (APBR).