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Pinoys flock to cemeteries days before these are closed for Undas


Some Filipinos trooped to cemeteries over the weekend and early on Monday, days before these are closed for All Saints' Day (Undas).

At the Manila North Cemetery, some visitors went to visit their departed loved ones even before sunrise, according to a report by Darlene Cay on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday.

They said they wanted to make sure they could visit before cemeteries are closed on Friday.

As of 7:40 a.m. on Monday, 403 people were already allowed to enter Manila North Cemetery, according to a report by Manny Vargas on Dobol B TV.

 

 

The Inter-Agency Task Force passed a resolution last week ordering the closure of all cemeteries in the country from Friday, October 29 to Tuesday, November 2, 2021 to minimize the risk of superspreader events during Undas. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the public may visit cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria before October 29 or after November 2.

During these allowable visits, visitors must be limited to 10 persons per group, and the venue must only allow 30% of capacity, though this can be raised to 50% if the local government unit (LGU) authorizes it.

Some local government units are asking the national government that they be allowed to open public cemeteries on October 30 and 31, according to League of Provinces of the Philippines president Marinduque Governor Presibitero Velasco Jr.

At Manila North Cemetery, visitors are screened at the police assistance desk at the entrance.

Senior citizens and minors are not allowed to enter. 

Police also confiscate banned items such as pointed sharp objects, flammable items, liquor, sound system for loud music, and gambling items. 

Outside the cemetery, flowers and candles were being sold at almost double their usual prices. Vendors said prices may even increase this week closer to All Saints' Day on November 1.

At the Manila South Cemetery in Makati City, meanwhile, health and safety protocols are strictly enforced, according to a report by Mao dela Cruz on Dobol B TV.

A minor was not allowed to go inside even if accompanied by her grandmother.

 

 

 

This past weekend, many people went to Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City, according to a report by Allan Gatus on Dobol B TV.

A total of 1,800 visitors went on Saturday, and 3,046 people came on Sunday, according to data from the Quezon City Police District. 

The cemetery is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

 

 

Regions

In Kidapawan City, families flocked to the Cotabato Memorial Park over the weekend, pitching tents and bringing flowers.

Some visitors going to cemeteries in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, meanwhile, were refused entry after they could not present an Undas Pass issued by the LGU.

In South Cotabato on the other hand, some enterprising Filipinos offered their services to clean and paint tombstones for a fee. 

Davao City meanwhile already closed public and private cemeteries and columbaria on Sunday, October 24, to prevent droves of people from flocking to these places. The temporary closure will be in effect until November 7. 

Flowers

Business perked up slightly at the Dangwa flower market this weekend, according to a report by Corinne Catibayan on Unang Balita.

Vendors are grateful for those buying flowers, even if sales were not as much as pre-pandemic levels.

One florist said prices of flowers almost tripled, but they are keeping their profit margin low to enable buyers to afford them. 

 

 

—KG, GMA News

Tags: news, Undas 2021, cemeteries, All Saints Day
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