ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has issued Executive Order (EO) 220 temporarily rerouting traffic on all roads leading to public and private cemeteries in a bid to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, respectively.
City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said the implementation of the traffic rerouting scheme will take effect 12 p.m. of October 31 to 5 p.m. of November 2.
Covarrubias said Salazar also issued EO 221 promulgating rules and regulations for strict compliance on November 1 and November 2 in Zamboanga City.
Patterned after previous years’ regulations, firearms, bladed weapons, selling and drinking of liquor and other similar items including gambling shall not be allowed inside the premises of public and private cemeteries during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Huge influx of people to these cemeteries create opportunities for the sale of foods, drinks and other commodities incidental to the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
“It has been observed that incidents of unruly, undisciplined, and at times violent behavior are reported in cemeteries, thereby disturbing those who solemnly visit the graveyards of their departed loved ones,” Salazar said in her order.
