Authorities in Calasiao, Pangasinan have set up emergency and first aid stations in local cemeteries starting Thursday to ensure the safety and convenience of visitors during Undas.

“Lalo na ‘yung senior citizens. Mainit ang panahon. Para maalalayan sila,” Zaldy Malit, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer IV of Calasiao, said.

The Calasiao Fire Station also deployed its first aid service team and stationed a fire truck near the cemetery. Around 60 police officers have been assigned to different cemeteries in the town, with additional reinforcements expected from the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office and other force multipliers.

Police estimate that between 5,000 and 10,000 people will visit cemeteries in Calasiao from Friday through the weekend.

PLTCOL. Ferdinand Lopez, chief of Calasiao Police Station, advised visitors to remain patient amid the expected heavy traffic.

“Habaan ang pasensya dahil sisikip ang traffic. Although may scheme na rin kami na ginawa,” he said.

Traffic enforcers are also on heightened alert.

“Pinadadagdagan namin ‘yung enforcer para ma-assist namin mga tao at motorista,” Verald Raphael Ceralde, deputy POSO chief for operations, said.

To manage vehicle and pedestrian flow, flexible hoses were placed along the road leading to the cemetery, with the left side designated as entrance and the right as exit.

Inside the cemetery, a large cross called tundaan serves as a prayer spot for visitors.

“Yung mga hindi na natin makita na kamag-anak, dito na natin titirikan,” Dexter Ferrer, one of the visitors, said.

After heavy rains the previous day, some tombs were submerged in water. Caretakers covered parts of the area to allow visitors to pay respects more comfortably.

“Para kahit papaano ‘yung mga may-ari ng nitso ay makadalaw sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” Dante Manlincon, caretaker of the Roman Catholic Cemetery, said.