Despite the closure of cemeteries and memorial parks during Undas, wakes, burials and cremations will still be allowed in Metro Manila.
In a press briefing, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia explained that these will be allowed since they are only looking to limit the number of people in cemeteries during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
“Isasara kasi yan [cemeteries] so hindi makakapasok ang mga tao pero kung yan ay libing, ‘yung regular na ginagawa sa sementeryo, may libing, may ike-cremate, definitely pwede yan,” Garcia added.
This was backed by Parañaque City Mayor and Metro Manila Council (MMC) chair Edwin Olivarez, who added that interments and cremations should continue during the closure.
On Sept. 13, Metro Manila’s mayors agreed to close all cemeteries three days before and after Nov. 1. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has yet to announce when the temporary closure of cemeteries will be enforced.
Header photo by Philippine News Agency
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