CEBU, Philippines — Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday announced that cemeteries in the city will be closed from October 29 to November 2.
This is a departure from his previous posturing that he would allow people to enter city cemeteries on those dates.
In effect, Rama is heeding the order of the Department of Interior and Local Government to have these places closed on said dates as a deterrent against the spread of COVID-19 infections.
Earlier, Rama issued a directive allowing fully vaccinated individuals to visit public cemeteries on All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day.
But Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano, in an advisory dated October 25, ordered the closure of all cemeteries in the country during the “Kalag-Kalag.”
Rama received a copy of the directive yesterday.
“There remains a need to avoid mass gatherings and ensure the continued enforcement of COVID-19 protocols and minimum public health standards in order to avoid a future rise in active cases,” Ano’s advisory read.
With this, Ano said all LGUs are enjoined to adopt and implement ordinances, executive orders, or resolutions restricting access to cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria for a period of five days from October 29 to November 2, 2021.
Rama said he called up IATF co-chairperson Carlo Nograles after receiving the DILG advisory and asked for an update regarding his request for an exception.
He was told that initially, the request was turned down, though another meeting with members of the IATF is coming up.
“Wala pa man ma-receive nako ang ilang statement nga they will not be granting favorable decision. So the decision of the city is to abide (by) and be attuned with the DILG and IATF,” said Rama.
Rama said he had already expressed to the IATF what he wanted and has no plans of making an appeal.
“I'm a basketball player. There is such a thing as a spirit of sportsmanship, so cool lang ko. As I said, di ko makig-away, makiglalis lang ko — lahi ra man na,” Rama said.
“But definitely, we are not hard-headed. We are also mindful. They may have their reasons,” he added.
Rama said that he decided to call for a press conference right away yesterday to inform the public regarding the closure of cemeteries so as not to inconvenience them.
“The positive thing — bring the constituents to have more time for a long weekend. Enjoy the closure. Take this time as a way to go with family for a long vacation,” said Rama.
As to burials on the said dates, Rama said that “if it can wait, they better do it when the cemeteries reopen on November 3 to 5.”
DILG’s advisory indicated that the conduct of wakes, necrological services, funerals, interment, cremation, and inurnment during this five-day period shall be governed by the applicable protocols set by the IATF-MEID.
Mandaue, too
In Mandaue City, Mayor Jonas Cortes has also ordered the temporary closure of all private and public cemeteries and memorial parks, including columbaries, in from October 29 to November 2.
Cortes’s Executive Order No. 35-A series of 2021 stated that the temporary closure of these areas is done provided that the Omnibus Guidelines on the implementation of the community quarantine shall continue to govern burial and cremation activities during these periods.
As such, the mayor said immediate family members may enter the cemeteries and memorial parks strictly to attend burial and cremation activities during the said period and with strict compliance with minimum public health and safety standards and social distancing requirments.
Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año announced earlier that the IATF released guidelines to close all cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaries nationwide starting October 29 to November 2, 2021 in order to prevent mass gatherings that could trigger the spread of COVID-19.
Purusant to EO 35, Cortes has approved the temporary closure of such places in the city from October 31 to November 2, 2021.
“In order to avoid mass gatherings during Undas and thereby complement the efforts exerted to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, prevent the spread of virus transmission and maximize the gains we have achieve thus far, the City of Mandaue deems it proper to adopt the guidelines set by the national IATF-MEID for Undas 2021 to avoid confusion and ensure uniformity in standards and guidelines across all local government units,” Cortes EO read.
The mayor added that the upcoming observance of All Saints’ Dayand All Souls’ Day must be regulated to ensure strict compliance with mandatory public health safety standards and protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The mayor’s EO took effect on October 25, 2021 and shall remain in force until November 10, 2021 unless sooner revoked, superseded or modified by subsequent orders and other issuances. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, JMD (FREEMAN)