Surigao Sur ramps up preparations for safe Undas 2026
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — Local government units and concerned government agencies across Surigao del Sur are strengthening preparations for Undas 2026 to help ensure public safety as families visit cemeteries and reunite with loved ones during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
In Tandag City, the provincial capital, Mayor Roxanne Pimentel issued Executive Order No. 38, series of 2026, prescribing general guidelines for the observance of Undas and activating the Incident Management Team, Emergency Operations Center, and response clusters.
The order aims to strengthen coordination among concerned offices and ensure an organized response to emergencies during the observance.
As part of the preparations, members of the Tandag City Emergency Response Team (TCERT), together with concerned offices, participated in an online coordination meeting on October 23 to discuss safety measures and assess the readiness of emergency responders.
Other local government units are doing similar preparations in the province in coordination with concerned national government agencies to help ensure a safe, orderly, and peaceful observance in their respective communities.
With more people expected to visit cemeteries and travel to their hometowns, authorities are emphasizing the importance of preparedness and public cooperation to prevent road accidents, fire incidents, medical emergencies, and other safety risks.
The Tandag City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), headed by Reyveen John Geli, has provided emergency hotlines for residents and visitors who may need assistance during the observance.
The public may contact the Tandag City emergency response team through the following numbers: Smart: 0907-299-3793 and Globe: 0956-739-5623.
Residents are also advised to keep children under adult supervision, follow traffic regulations, exercise caution when lighting candles, and properly dispose of combustible materials to help prevent accidents and fires in cemeteries.
Beyond safety preparations, Undas remains a meaningful tradition for families across Surigao del Sur.
For Nanay Fermina, an elderly resident of Tandag City, returning home to visit the graves of departed loved ones is a tradition that brings family members together year after year.
“Many Catholic families make it a tradition to come home during Undas to visit the graves of their departed loved ones and gather at the cemetery. We light candles and offer prayers together, as this has become part of our way of life every year,” she shared.
Like many Catholic families, Nanay Fermina’s family observes the occasion through prayers, candle-lighting, and visits to the graves of loved ones. These practices provide opportunities for relatives to reunite, share memories, and pass family traditions on to younger generations.
As communities across the province prepare for Undas, the cooperation of local governments, emergency responders, national government agencies, and the public remains essential to maintaining safety and ensuring a timely response to emergencies.
Through strengthened coordination and responsible observance, authorities aim to help families honor their departed loved ones in a safe and peaceful environment while preserving the traditions that keep their memories alive. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)
