A public cemetery in Barangay Conel, General Santos City has stopped accepting burials from other barangays temporarily due to space shortage and other problems that need to be addressed.

Congested tombs, deteriorating roofs of makeshift shelters, and graves disturbed by roots of large trees are among the problems observed at the more than 11-hectare cemetery.

Because of this, the barangay council decided to stop accepting burials from residents outside the barangay temporarily, except from neighboring Barangay Olympog, starting November 16, 2025.

The move aims to allow the cemetery to undergo rehabilitation.

“Nakit-an namo sa council nga among barangay cemetery karon daghan kaayo i-renovate. Isa didtu ang mga kahoy nga dagkua…mananghid pa mi sa CENRO kung unsaon na siya,” Barangay Conel Chairman Tessie Agbayani said.

The barangay added that another major concern is that the cemetery is now nearly full.

A tombstone installer confirmed that a significant number of those buried in the area are from other barangays. “Kay kung mauna og kapuno, ang taga Conel simbako naa mamatay walay kabutangan,” tombstone installed, Toper Kabuya, said.

“Mabalaka mi ngano man tungod kay mureport ang amung administrator kada bulan daghan pa ang malubong sa gawas kaysa sa taga Barangay Conel. Unya among na realize kung ugaling kitang tanan mangamatay man ta nu, tingalig pag-abot sa panahon wala na tay kalubngan taga Conel kay pulus taga gawas ang gilubong,” Agbayani added.

The barangay also said that the temporary closure of the cemetery will allow them to account for the total number of burials properly, both children and adults.

Agbayani is appealing for understanding from residents of other barangays who may wish to bury their loved ones in the area.

“Hinaot pag-unta sa inyong pagsabot, siyempre nagkadako na ang among barangay, nagkalambo usab, nagkadaghan na ang mga katawhan siyempre daghan pud mangamatay…Hinaot nga unta maningkamot ta mangitang pamagagi mangita og luna para sa inyong katawhan,” Agbayani said.