Close cemeteries? Gwen to consult mayors first

CEBU, Philippines —  Unlike Cebu City, the Cebu provincial government has not yet decided if public cemeteries in the province will be open on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she will consult first the mayors of the different towns and cities in the province regarding the matter.

“I need to confer with the mayors kay girespeto nako sila. Dili na nako madali-dali, you know, just to gain pogi points. You know how I operate. I don’t care pogi ko or dili,” Garcia said during her live press conference at the Capitol last September 9.

The first two days of the month of November are considered special national holidays in the Philippines to allow Filipinos to remember and honor their departed loved ones. Filipinos usually flock to cemeteries during these days.

But in some areas in the country, cemeteries will be closed to prevent large crowds where physical distancing becomes impossible. The closures were seen as preventive measures against the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

In Cebu City, Mayor Edgardo Labella has issued an executive order directing the closure of cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaries on October 30 to November 3 to prevent people from gathering.

“There is a need for the city government of Cebu to temporarily close memorial parks, cemeteries and columbaries in the City during the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, as well as the days leading to and after these events so as to prevent the expected influx and gathering of people inside these areas,” read Labella’s Executive Order No. 92.

However, the EO provides that interment and cremation services provided by public and private memorial parks, cemeteries, and columbaries shall be allowed to continue within the five-day closure. — KQD (FREEMAN)