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MANILA, Philippines – Wakes, burials and cremations will be allowed during the closure of cemeteries and memorial parks during “Undas” week or the annual observance of All Saints ‘Day and All Souls’ Day.
“Doors [to cemeteries, memorial parks and columbariums] it will be closed with a padlock during the closing of a week, but these events will still be allowed since we only want to prevent people from entering on All Saints ‘Day and All Souls’ Day ”, Jojo García, general manager of the Development Authority Metropolitan Manila (MMDA) said at a news conference on Monday.
Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, who chairs the Metro Manila Council (MMC), also said that burials and cremations should continue from October 29 to November 4.
Last word
On Sunday, the 17 mayors who make up the council agreed to close all cemeteries in Metro Manila for three days before and after November 1.
While the implementation of crowd control measures would vary among local governments, Garcia said the entire metropolis would follow a uniform week-long closure of cemeteries.
Flower, candle sellers
The Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has the final say on this matter, including the specific dates by which the closure of cemeteries will be enforced.
Garcia said that the cemeteries “are open every day, which means that the vendors still have customers… But once the cemeteries are closed, it is their decision whether they will remain open. If the cemeteries are closed, nobody will be able to go there and nobody would also buy from them ”.
He encouraged the public to avoid gatherings and instead assigned a family member to go to the cemetery while other relatives observe the annual Undas at home.
Garcia said the working group would determine whether the same measures would be adopted in neighboring provinces.
Some local governments have already issued guidelines for the observance of All Saints’ Day.
–With a report from Dexter Cabalza
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