BAGUIO CITY – Hoping for a repeat of the previous two years’ peaceful All Saints Day and All Souls Day celebration, the city government under Mayor Bernardo Vergara mounts anew the “Oplan Kaluluwa” contingency plan to ensure peace and order as people from all walks of life pay homage to their dead.

            The Oplan Kaluluwa executive committee headed by the mayor with Councilor Galo Weygan as co-chair and city health officer Dr. Florence Reyes as action officer and coordinator is set to impose a set of regulations among which the centralization of the sale of flowers, candles and other paraphernalia to maintain order.

The office of the city treasurer last Monday began processing applications for 180 stalls that will be allowed to sell along

            As in the past years, intoxicating drinks and deadly weapons will not be allowed within the burial grounds which have been spruced up by health office for the occasion.  Portable comfort rooms will be provided inside the grounds. 

            A medical and emergency team will be on hand to tackle emergency situations while other groups will also be deployed to guard against crimes and ensure sanitation. 

            The city police office under city director Supt. Francisco Manalo has drawn up traffic rerouting scheme to ensure smooth vehicle flow for the whole duration.

            The said plan will affect the following thoroughfares:

            The following traffic plan will be implemented during the observance:

            From 11:30 p.m. of October 31, 2002 up to 9 pm of November 1, the Baguio cemetery will be closed to traffic.  No parking inside and both sides of

            From 5 a.m. to 9 pm November 1, the following traffic measures will be undertaken:

1.Truck/bus ban will be implemented along

2. Quirino Highway from its junction of

3. Dominican /Lourdes Roads, Queen of Apostle Road, Queen of Peace Road/Middle Rock Quarry will be declared One Way.  This route will used as exit route in going back to the CBD.  No parking will be allowed at both sides of the road; 

4. All vehicles coming from Dominican/Lourdes Grotto shall take Queen of Apostle Road in going back to the CBD;

5. All vehicles bound for Quezon Hill and beyond shall take 2^nd Road Quezon Hill where One-Way traffic going up will be allowed; 1^st Road Quezon Hill will be used as exit point then turn right towards Lourdes St. to CBD;

6. Public utility jeepneys delivering passengers at the cemetery shall unload their passengers along the junction of Quirino Highway and Dominican Road then turn left taking Queen of Peace Road/ Lourdes Road in going back to the CBD;

7. Taxicabs delivering passengers at the cemetery shall load/unload at the back of Station 1 fronting Recoletos Seminary and then shall take the

8.  San and San Luis will also be declared “One-Way” as the route will be used as exit route in going to CBD.  No parking will be allowed on both sides of the road;

9. All private vehicles coming from the CBD and intending to unload at the cemetery will be allowed to pass in front of the Baguio cemetery but have to turn around at the 2^nd Road, San Carlos Heights and shall then be allowed to unload/load passengers infront of Baguio Cemetery; and

10. Only water delivery, ambulance and police vehicles are allowed inside the Baguio cemetery on 5 am to 12 midnight of Nov. 1.

Designated parking spaces are located at 2^nd Road Quezon Hill (one side going up parallel parking), Sofia de Vera parallel parking (Entry) Quirino Highway (Exit) 2^nd Road Quezon Hill; Cosiaco Recoletos Compound; Shangrila Subd.; and inside Cooyeesan Plaza.  All illegally parked vehicles will be towed at the expense of the owner.

The public is advised to contact the following numbers in case of emergency: 444-8399; 444-8320; 442-4119 and hotline 166.

The Oplan Kaluluwa committee is also composed of the following as members: Councilors Rufino Panagan and Braulio Yaranon, police director Manalo, Engr. Nestor Nicolas of the Department of Public Works and Highways city engineering district, city engineer Leo Bernardez Jr., sanitary engineer Sofronio Ripalda, communications group head Perfector Itliong Jr., barangay affairs office head Lawrence Adube, permits and licensing division head Cristio Lagyop with Jun Francisco, Annie Carino and Alex Ortega, all of Councilor Weygan’s office.