Metro Manila mayors eye unified Undas policy amid COVID-19 pandemic

Metro Manila mayors will meet on Sunday to discuss guidelines, including possible temporary closure of cemeteries, to be implemented during the Undas holidays amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV on Thursday, Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, chairman of the Metro Manila Council, said they aim to come up with a uniform policy for the observation of All Souls and All Saints Days after the meeting.

"Pag-uusapan namin this coming Sunday, ng Metro Manila Council, kasama sa agenda namin, para magkaroon kami ng uniform, unified na policy sa darating na Todos Los Santos," he said.

So far, only Manila and Mandaluyong have ordered the temporary closure of cemeteries for All Souls and All Saints Days to avoid crowding amid the pandemic.

Olivarez said it is the prerogative of local government units to come up with such orders.

He also said he has yet to come up with a similar order for Parañaque as he is taking into consideration the fact that the largest private cemetery is located in the city.

"Ang Parañaque as of now wala pa kasi hinihintay namin yung pag-uusap ng Metro Manila Council, kasi katulad ng nabanggit ko, yung mga pupunta sa sementeryo sa amin hindi lang taga-Parañaque lang kundi all over Metro Manila," he said.

"Pero yung ginawa ng dalawang LGU, prerogative nila yun," Olivarez added, referring to Manila and Mandaluyong. —KBK, GMA News