Rehabilitation set for Lapu-Lapu’s oldest cemetery

CEBU, Philippines — The oldest and the first cemetery in Lapu-Lapu City will be rehabilitated and works are expected to be done by the end of this year.

The budget for the project is P20-million, which will be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).  The budget will come from the office of the Representative Aileen Radaza.

Mayor Paz Radaza told reporters that the rehabilitation of Opon Municipal Cemetery will start this month.

It was supposed to start last July but the schedule was moved because of several activities that happened along the way.

Radaza decided to start the rehabilitation after the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day last Nov. 1 and 2.

The one-hectare cemetery is located in the interior part of Sitio Tugas, Barangay Gun-ob and houses around 2,000 remains.

A three-story structure will be constructed in the area.

"Mga bukog ihabwa lang usa from there. Once mahuman na ang area, ibalik sila didto. Atoa sila i-prioritize," she said.

The tombs of those who were recently buried will not be affected for now.

The city government has other cemeteries namely the Humay-Humay Catholic Cemetery in Barangay Gun-ob, the Mactan Island Memorial Garden in Barangay Agus, Heaven of Peace Memorial Garden in Barangay Mactan, and another public cemetery in Olango Island. — MBG (FREEMAN)