Government agencies on Friday began monitoring main thoroughfares and public utility vehicles (PUVs) ahead of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, locally known as “Undas.”

The Land Transportation Office in Northern Mindanao (LTO-10) has launched “Oplan Byaheng Ligtas” as part of the Department of Transportation’s measure to ensure PUV safety and security on Nov. 1 and 2, both national holidays.

Officer-in-Charge Santino Aguilar of LTO-10’s Regional Law Enforcement Section said during the sendoff that enforcers should always maintain vigilance, discipline and utmost professionalism.

On the first day, LTO enforcers visited the PUV terminals in Cagayan de Oro City, where a number of commuters are expected to increase from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.

The Police Regional Office-10 also prepared to deploy personnel not only in cemeteries but also on highways at checkpoints.

Nick Jabagat, chief of the Cagayan de Oro City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department, said other city departments had already been briefed on assisting the public during the long weekends.

“We have laid out the plans that cover both private and public cemeteries,” he said. (PNA)