Over 500K visitors flock to Manila North Cemetery on Undas

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More than a half a million individuals have visited the Manila North Cemetery on Sunday, November 1 as Filipinos observe All Saints' Day (Undas).

As of 12 p.m., the number of visitors at the country's largest cemetery reached 540,000.

There were already visitors at the cemetery on Saturday, October 31. But only 93,000 have been recorded as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

The cemetery is expecting one million visitors today.

Visitors have arrived as early as before 6 a.m. to pay respects to their departed loved ones.

Earlier in the day, management decided to stop the free rides being offered for visitors due to the heavy crowd influx.

Cemetery director Daniel Tan said the roads inside are no longer passable.

The Manila North Cemetery earlier said it has a "puntod finder" that helps people find the burial spots of their deceased loved ones.

The Manila Public Information Office (PIO) also issued earlier an advisory regarding road closures and traffic rerouting around the Manila North Cemetery. The traffic plan will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on November 1:

Manila South Cemetery

Meanwhile, at the Manila South Cemetery, 30,000 visitors have entered it as of 11 a.m., the Manila Police District said, according to the Manila Public Information Office.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Sunday issued safety reminders to the public as Filipinos observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (November 2) during the long weekend.

NCRPO spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Hazel Asilo advised residents leaving their homes to secure their doors, windows and gates to prevent burglaries.

She also urged homeowners to avoid leaving valuable items outside their properties, which could attract thieves.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday announced that the implementation of the number coding scheme will be suspended on Monday, November 2.

November 1 and November 2 are special non-working days to allow Filipinos to observe the annual tradition of visiting the tombs of their departed loved ones. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/KG, GMA News