Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia. Photo from Evelio “Bing” Leonardia Facebook page
BACOLOD CITY––Mayor Evelio Leonardia has ordered the closure from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 of cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaries to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the city.
“This will lead to the crowding of people that will violate the current national and local public policy on the strict prohibition against mass gatherings that can cause the unwarranted spread of COVID-19,” said the mayor in an order on Sunday, Oct. 17.
He said the closure of the cemeteries is necessary for the promotion of health, protection and safety of the community, and the preservation of life.
Leonarda said they would, however, allow priests and lay ministers to bless the graves on these dates, when Filipinos flock to the cemeteries to remember their departed loved ones.
In Negros Occidental, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson also ordered the closure of all public and private memorial parks, cemeteries, and columbaries in the province on these dates.