MANILA -- The government media, through the Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO), on Thursday trooped to Manila North Cemetery to provide simple comforts to people visiting their dearly departed in observance of the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar noted that it is the first time government media joined private media entities to be one with the people during the “Undas” observance.
“This is the first time that government media came together para makiisa sa mga kasamahan natin sa (to be one with partners in the) private media which have been covering here. At the same time, para makiisa sa (to be one in the) celebration of All Saints’ Day at All Souls’ Day," Andanar said.
Aside from PCOO, personnel of the state-run television network PTV, Radyo Pilipinas, Philippine News Agency (PNA), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) covered the situation at the Manila North Cemetery.
Andanar said they are also giving food items to cemetery visitors --such as bottled water, free coffee and bread, donated by private companies -- as well as non-food items.
Meanwhile, the PCOO chief also urged visitors to follow rules in the cemeteries for their stay to be pleasant.
“Alam naman nila kung ano pwede at hindi pwede dalhin sa loob ng sementeryo, sumunod na lang sa mga regulation. Bawal ang alcohol, bawal ang sigarilyo, bawal ang droga, bawal ang matatalim na bagay (They very well know what to bring and what not to bring inside the cemetery. They should follow the regulation. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited, smoking is prohibited, drugs and sharp objects are prohibited),” the PCOO chief added.
Asked if President Rodrigo Duterte sent him to oversee the situation at the Manila cemetery, Andanar said: “This is just our initiative.”
He reported that the President is traveling to the Mountain Province to oversee the search and rescue operation there.
Andanar also urged the people to bring bags full of prayers when they visit their departed loved ones in cemeteries.
“Let’s all make the celebration of ‘Undas’ peaceful, we go here to commemorate the lives of our departed loved ones,” the government official added.
The management of the Manila North Cemetery is expecting an estimated 1.6 million visitors. (PNA)
