BAGUIO CITY – The city government ordered the closure of all public cemeteries in the city on Nov. 1 (All Saints Day) and implemented a per-district schedule for visits to the tombs of the departed from Oct. 23 to Nov. 5.
Aileen Refuerzo, city information officer, said Monday the measure seeks to prevent overcrowding at cemeteries.
“Cleaning will be allowed until October 22 and the prohibited items like bladed weapons and materials will no longer be allowed in the area," she said in an interview.
Visits will start after the cleaning schedule.
“When they go and clean, probably they can already use that as their visit day. May mga pulis sa mga entrance para maniguro na walang magiging problema at susunod ang lahat sa patakaran para na din sa ating lahat (There will be police officers assigned at the different entrances of the cemetery to ensure that there will be no violations and all will abide with the regulations for the good of everybody),” she added.
She said based on the city’s guidelines, gates will open to the public from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"The Oplan Kaluluwa committee considered crowd management and traffic congestion as the basis in the scheduling of visits to the public cemeteries per district," she said.
The city’s 128 barangays are divided into 20 districts.
Those coming from La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tublay, and Tuba as well as all non-residents of Baguio may visit their departed any day except on Nov. 1.
To avoid traffic congestion, parking is not allowed along public roads near the cemeteries from Oct. 23 to Nov. 5 with a drop-and-go scheme only for passengers.
Refuerzo, meanwhile, reminded the public not to bring prohibited materials inside the cemeteries such as liquor, firearms and pointed objects, flammable materials, gambling materials, and loudspeakers.
Vending and vendors are also prohibited inside public cemeteries.
Private cemeteries have also issued visiting schedules depending on the first letter of the family name of the deceased relative.
The city has over 10 public and private cemeteries. (PNA)
