MANILA, Philippines — E-prayer or e-pamisa and virtual visit to cemeteries are recommended after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and local government units (LGUs) ordered all cemeteries in Metro Manila and other areas with high-risk of COVID-19 to close.
With a week before All Souls’ Day, Sen. Imee Marcos recommended to the public three options to ensure safe observance of Undas, specifically the early or postponed visit to the cemeteries or to make it “virtual” only.
Marcos made the recommendation after the order of the IATF and LGUs to close all cemeteries in Metro Manila and other areas with high risk of COVID-19.
As a result, Marcos immediately instructed the LGUs to follow the guidelines that the public will follow when going to the cemeteries this October and even beyond up to All Souls Day on Nov. 2.
“E-prayer or e-pamisa is possible in churches or priests through online apps,” said Marcos in Filipino.
At various cemeteries, such as the Manila Memorial Park (MMP) in Paranaque, authorities said there will be “virtual visits” where relatives of the gravedigger will pay for cleaning, lighting candles, laying flowers, and painting the tomb.
The management of the cemeteries will send the video to the families of the deceased in exchange for payment for the said services to their clients.