Undas 2022: What to keep in mind when joining crowds in cemeteries, columbaria

By: Kurt Dela Peña - 2 years ago

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—This year’s Undas is expected to draw millions of people to cemeteries and columbaria, which were closed for the commemoration of the dead in the last two years because of COVID-19.

Looking back, almost a million people went to cemeteries and columbaria in Metro Manila for Undas in 2019, the last one before the health crisis hit, with the Manila Police District reporting the biggest crowd—620,400.

GRAPHIC Ed Lustan

This year, with eased COVID-19 restrictions, over 100 cemeteries and columbaria in Metro Manila are already expecting millions of people visiting their dead relatives starting Oct. 29 until Nov. 2.

The Manila North Cemetery, for instance, is expecting a crowd of 3 to 4 million this Undas. Covering 54 hectares, the cemetery, where almost 200,000 graves are laid, is the biggest in Manila.

As stated by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson Lt. Col. Dexter Versola, 10,000 police officers will be deployed to Metro Manila’s 80 cemeteries and 24 columbaria.

GRAPHIC Ed Lustan

He told GMA News that aside from police, personnel from local government units (LGUs), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of Health (DOH) would also be deployed.

Things to know

Even before the health crisis, restrictions were already in effect, especially between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2, the days when millions of people visit cemeteries to commemorate the dead. Here are some of the things that are strictly prohibited:

• Firearms, explosives, weapons
• Sharp items like knives, scissors
• Videoke, any sound system that may cause loud sounds
• Gambling materials
• Illegal drugs
• Flammable materials, toxic chemicals

Since the threat of COVID-19 still exists, the City of Manila said people should likewise keep these in mind, especially when visiting Manila North Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery:

• Children below the age of 12 will only be allowed if they are vaccinated
• Individuals who are not vaccinated will not be allowed to enter
• Any type of vehicle is prohibited
• The cemeteries will be open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. only
• Wearing of face masks is encouraged

In Valenzuela City, cemeteries will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but children who are 11 years old and younger will not be allowed to enter, while those who have COVID-19 symptoms “should stay at home.”

Likewise, the local government of Valenzuela said the elderly, immunocompromised, physically incapacitated, and those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated are encouraged not to go to cemeteries.

A liquor ban from midnight of Oct. 29 to 11:59 p.m. of Nov. 2 will be implemented in barangays where there are cemeteries—Karuhatan, Maysan, Lawang Bato, Palasan, Veinte Reales and Arkong Bato.

Aside from the common restrictions, sleepover and overnight, bringing of portable stoves, flying of drones, and flammable materials and toxic chemicals are likewise prohibited.

Last Oct. 19, the Caloocan City LGU said cemeteries will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Undas this year and that the “One Entrance, One Exit” policy will be implemented starting Oct. 29 to Nov. 2.

People, it said, should bring their vaccination cards since only fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to enter cemeteries. Aside from the common restrictions, any type of vehicle is likewise prohibited inside.

In Navotas City, individuals visiting cemeteries and columbaria from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 are required to get a cemetery pass from TEXT JRT two days before their date of visit. To get the cemetery pass, these should be sent to TEXT JRT:

• Name, address, age, cemetery, date and time of visit

The message can be sent to 0908 8868 578 for Smart, 0922 888 578 for Sun, and 0915 260 1385 for Globe.

The Pasay City LGU likewise released guidelines for this year’s Undas, stressing that those with fever, cough, cold, and those who are not yet vaccinated will not be allowed to enter cemeteries.

Cemeteries, it said, will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Physical distancing will be implemented and any type of vehicle will also be prohibited inside starting Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.

In Malabon City, the local government decided to implement visitation schedules for Undas, while reminding people to observe minimum public health and safety standards, like the wearing of face masks.

Everlasting Peace Memorial Park & Crematorium

- Oct. 30 to 31 and Nov. 2: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 1: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
San Bartolome Parish Cemetery
- Oct. 31 and Nov. 2: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 1: 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Our Lady of Lourdes Eternal Park
- Oct. 29 to 31 and Nov. 2: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 1: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Resurrection Garden Ossuary (Maysilo)
- Oct. 31 and Nov. 2: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Nov. 1: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Immaculate Conception Parish Old Cemetery & Ossuary
- Oct. 30 to 31 and Nov. 2: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Nov. 1: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sto. Rosario Parish Columbary (Dampalit)
- Oct. 31 and Nov. 2: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 1: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Garden of Life Memorial Park in Mandaluyong City, which will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Oct. 29 to 31) and from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Nov. 1), will only allow fully vaccinated individuals who are five years of age and older to enter.

The Pasig City LGU said it will implement a “No Face Mask, No Entry” policy, and that those who are not yet vaccinated, the elderly, children, and those who have COVID-19 symptoms, are discouraged from visiting cemeteries.

In San Juan City, the local government said cemeteries will be open from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. starting Oct. 29 to Nov. 2. While wearing of face masks is voluntary, the LGU said it will be strictly enforced once the 50 percent capacity is reached.

GRAPHIC Ed Lustan

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