Roque proposes staggered visitation in cemeteries for ‘Undas’ 2020

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said he will propose a staggered visitation scheme in cemeteries as the government’s COVID-19 task force looks into alternative options for the observance of All Saints’ Day.

“Titignan po natin kung merong mga alternatibo dahil naniniwala naman po ako na importante sa mga Pilipino ang Undas,” Roque, who is also spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, said in an online briefing.

(We will see if there can be alternatives because I believe that Undas is important to Filipinos.)

“Ako po mismo, ang aking rekomendasyon, gawin na lang natin na All Saints’ Day kung hindi siguro mag-allot tayo ng apat o limang araw depende sa family name ng namatay kung sino ang pupwedeng pumunta sa sementeryo nang ‘di po lahat magdagsaan sa iisang araw lamang,” he added.

(My recommendation would be to allow four or five days when they can visit depending on the family name of the deceased so that the public won’t crowd into the cemetery in just one day.)

Both the local governments of Manila and Mandaluyong have already decided to close all public and private cemeteries located in their respective jurisdictions during this year’s “Undas.”

This is a bid to prevent mass gathering and curb the spread of COVID-19.

JE