For cemetery visitors: Security measures set

CEBU, Philippines —  Preparations are underway for the security of people visiting the cemeteries in Cebu City ahead of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak said the city government is deploying medical teams, ambulances, and fire trucks in different public and private cemeteries for the pre-All Saints’ Day and pre-All Souls’ Day visits.

 The city government, upon Inter-Agency Task Force’s recommendation, has banned the visits to cemeteries and columbaries from October 30 to November 3 as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

However, visits to cemeteries are allowed from September 26 to October 29 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. subject to health protocols.

The Cebu City Police Office; Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE); Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP); Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO); and other law enforcement units have already started conducting coordination meetings.

Tumulak said they have also coordinated with the administrators of public and private cemeteries to ensure the implementation of health protocols.

According to Tumulak, quarantine passes are required for those visiting the cemeteries on the allowed dates. The councilor has also urged the public to observe cleanliness in visiting the cemeteries by disposing of their trash properly.

Personnel from the Cebu City Environmental and Sanitation Team (CESET) will be deployed to issue citation tickets to violators.

Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) personnel will also apprehend traffic violators. Tumulak has advised the motorists to follow the traffic signs to minimize congestion.

He said some roads will be closed to allow people visiting the graves enough space. Security outposts will be set up outside the cemeteries. — FPL (FREEMAN)