UNDAS. The government-owned cemetery in Tanza, Iloilo City. Visits to cemeteries during Undas will be limited to vaccinated individuals, whether partially or fully vaccinated. (PNA photo courtesy of Neil Ravena)
ILOILO CITY – The city government here will only allow inoculated individuals, either partially or fully vaccinated, to enter private or public memorial parks in observance of the "Undas" as a measure to protect residents against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Iloilo City Public Safety and Traffic Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu said limitation was stipulated in Executive Order 085 signed by Mayor Jerry Treñas on Oct. 17.
“There are 16 cemeteries, both public and private, in the city. So we will establish a deployment plan together with the Philippine National Police, PSTMO and force multiplier to check on our cemeteries if they observe the guidelines,” he said in an interview on Wednesday.
Conlu said the policy of the national government has not changed for unvaccinated people where they will have “limited movement in terms of travel” but the task force will try to monitor so they will get protected.
There will be a “bit of leniency” for the vaccinated ones because they are protected, he said.
Iloilo City has 461 active Covid-19 cases as of Oct. 16 with a daily average rate of 29 cases from the previous 11 cases in September.
The average daily attack rate as of Oct. 16 was at 5.87 percent from the 1.72 percent on Oct. 1.
As a strategy, Conlu said a one entrance, one exit system will be established for public cemeteries while there is no problem with private cemeteries because they are considered as a “controlled environment”.
Based on the executive order, visitors who wanted to get into the cemeteries will have to present their duly accomplished vaccination card and a valid identification (ID) with photo of the ID holder.
The same is also required for minors who should be accompanied by fully vaccinated adults.
It will take effect starting 12 a.m. of Oct. 31 until 11:59 p.m. of Nov. 2.
Conlu added that during the Undas, flower vendors will already be allowed to sell flowers in designated areas to include Rizal and Osmeña streets in Arevalo district; M.H. del Pilar Street in Molo; Oñate Street (alongside Mandurriao public market) in Mandurriao; Iznart, Aldeguer, and Rizal streets in City Proper and outside of the perimeter of the Jaro plaza in Jaro district.
“They only have to follow guidelines. They (flower vendors) have to be fully vaccinated for them to get a special permit to sell,” he said.
Once they have already secured the requirements, flower vendors can start installing their stalls late afternoon or evening of Oct. 28 and start selling the next day.
Conlu said the Task Force Undas will also be deployed on Oct. 29 until Nov 2. (PNA)
