Minors not allowed to visit cemeteries in Cebu City on 'kalag-kalag'

CEBU, Philippines —  Minors are not allowed inside cemeteries in Cebu City during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) made this reminder after parents brought their minor children with them to cemeteries on Monday as they start cleaning up the graves of their departed loved ones in preparation for the  “Kalag-Kalag” season on November 1 and 2.

Police Lt Colonel Wilbert Parilla, CCPO deputy city director for operations, said cops manning cemeteries’ entry points are already ordered to strictly enforce the age restrictions.

He said parents who will bring minors with them will be asked to go home.

"Pag naay tawo dira mga magdala og minor dili na gyud sila pasudlon,” he said.

Under the quarantine guidelines, no minors are allowed to go out in public.

Also, based on the guidelines released by the Cebu City government, cemetery visitors will only be given one hour the maximum to stay in premises of the cemetery from October 18 to 30.

Only 300 people at a time will be allowed inside the Pardo Cemetery; 250 inside the Labangon Cemetery; 350 inside the Calamba Cemetery;170 inside the Cabantan Cemetery;150 inside the Talamban Cemetery; 450 inside the Carreta Cemetery (under the Cathedral); and 110 inside the Carreta Cemetery (under Santo Rosario).

Private cemeteries, on the other hand, will be allowed to admit up to 10 percent of their maximum capacity.

Parilla said the seven public cemeteries are implementing the color-coding system.

“Each batch of visitors will be given a corresponding flag for easier identification if ni-lapse na ang one hour visit,” he said.

He said security enforcers are scattered around the cemeteries to ensure strict compliance with the one-hour policy/color-coding scheme. — KQD (FREEMAN)