Undas 2025: Use of face masks advised but not mandatory in Muntinlupa City cemetery

Wearing a face mask is advisable but not required when visiting the Muntinlupa City Public Cemetery as the local government prepares for this year’s Undas.

“Though face mask is advised, but not mandatory,” the Muntinlupa City Public Information Office told GMA News Online on Monday. 

The Muntinlupa City gov’t. said its public cemetery will be open from October 31 to November 2 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

“The Muntinlupa City Public Cemetery will be open from October 31 to November 2, from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Grave cleaning and repainting are allowed until October 28, while no burial or cremation schedules will be accommodated from October 31 to November 2,” the LGU said. 

Preparations are already underway as the Bureau of Fire Protection conducted flushing operations to clean major roads and cemetery surroundings, clean-up drives were also conducted to clear pathways and obstructions, and the city’s engineering department carried out repairs and repainting of public facilities. 

“In anticipation of the influx of visitors, Mayor Ruffy Biazon ordered the activation of Task Force Undas, composed of various city departments tasked with crowd control, medical assistance, traffic rerouting, and public information dissemination,” city hall added. 

The local government also reminded that gambling, alcoholic beverages, sharp objects, videoke or loud sound systems, selling inside or outside cemetery premises, and parking or driving vehicles within cemetery grounds are strictly prohibited.

As for health concerns, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPI) earlier said that they have seen a roughly 10% rise in cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) since three to four weeks ago, with the majority of these cases being pediatric, geriatric, or with comorbidities. But the number of cases is plateauing.

The Department of Health has repeatedly stressed that there were no outbreaks, despite class suspensions and local government advisories.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa City said in its P8.8 billion executive budget for 2025, 22% was devoted to health and 18% to education, directing nearly P4 out of every P10 toward people-centered programs.

With 22% of the city’s budget directed to health, Muntinlupa is upgrading the Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun), acquiring modern medical equipment, and strengthening drug supply systems. Investments are also flowing to barangay health centers and community-based health institutions to ensure access to preventive care and emergency response.

When it comes to education, the city continues to expand its scholarship programs, learning kits, and teacher support systems, ensuring that no student is left behind.

“As we close the year, Muntinlupa can say with pride that our budget reflects our conscience,” Biazon said, adding that they “chose people over politics, essentials over excess, and impact over impression.”

The Muntinlupa LGU said based on comparative data from the Department of Budget and Management and Department of the Interior and Local Government, it consistently ranks among Metro Manila’s highly urbanized cities with the highest proportional investments in health and education, a reflection of the city’s deep commitment to human capital development.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF/AOL, GMA Integrated News