CAGAYAN de Oro City government has released traffic advisories ahead of Undas observance on November 1–2 to manage expected congestion at major cemeteries here.
In notices published by the City Information Office, authorities announced “no entry” zones around cemeteries, though exemptions apply to emergency and government vehicles, residents of restricted areas, and accredited news media.
However, vehicles of city officials and law enforcement will still be permitted.
The advisory lists “City officials’ service vehicles, PNP and Military patrols, Road and Traffic Administration patrols, fire trucks, and government ambulances” among those allowed access, along with “accredited media vehicles and motorcycles.”
The city urged the public to follow emergency protocols, adding, “In case of emergency dial 911,” for police, fire, medical, and rescue response.
Traffic flow will shift to a one-way scheme at Bulua Public Cemetery and Eternal Garden, where motorists traveling along Macapagal Drive from the national highway will be directed toward Golden Haven cemetery before exiting through Canitoan or Iponan.
Parking will be limited to one side of the road. The advisory says there will be “one-side only (left side, facing south from National Highway up to entrance area of Eternal Garden).”
Trucks and heavy equipment are prohibited from using the Bolao Steel Bridge in Iponan during the period, while “temporary no entry” will be enforced for vehicles at Terry Hills via Jupiter Street.
At Forest Lake Memorial Garden in the west, parking is banned within 50 meters of the entrance and left turns will not be allowed during peak hours. Motorists will instead be directed to a U-turn slot near the Land Transportation Office.
Similar parking restrictions apply at the Chinese Cemetery and Oro Garden Memorial Park, where stopping within 50 meters of the gates along Masterson Avenue will be disallowed.
City Memorial Park (Bolonsiri) will adopt a one-way scheme from JR Borja Extension toward the Carmelite Church area, with parking allowed only on Hayes Street. Loading and unloading will be limited to designated zones.
Officials said special schemes may be applied at smaller barangay cemeteries in coordination with local tanods.
The city encouraged residents to remain patient and abide by road procedures to prevent choke points as thousands visit their departed loved ones.
Meanwhile, during Cagayan de Oro Press Club’s Meet the Press, Road and Traffic Administration (RTA) Department Manager Nonito Oclarit said the agency will deploy 300 personnel on Nov. 1 and 2.
He said the deployment will operate in two shifts — from 6 am to 2 pm, and vice versa.
Oclarit emphasized that there will be no apprehensions unless a motorist displays violent behavior during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
He noted that many cemetery visitors are from outside Cagayan de Oro.
“Dili kaayo ta mo-focus sa pag-sita sa violation though there is still reminder to wear helmet,” Oclarit said.
This year, the RTA expects more than 20,000 people to visit the City Memorial Park alone.
On pay parking, Oclarit said only those operating on private lots will be allowed and warned that the city will reprimand those who set up pay parking on public land.
