UNDAS 2022 | Despite the bad weather, a man cleans the grave of his departed loved ones at Manila South Cemetery in Makati in time for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. (Photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — It seems like the advice of the police for the public to pay an early visit to their departed loved ones during the long weekend to avoid the massive crowds on “Undas” (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day) was all for naught.
A few people who braved the heavy rains brought by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) on Saturday morning were surprised and disappointed to learn that Manila North Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery were closed to visitors.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna on Saturday ordered the closure of the two public cemeteries as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 was raised over Metro Manila.
The Manila government announced on Friday it would close the gates of the cemetery for visitors if Signal No. 2 or higher would be raised in Metro Manila by Saturday.
Roselle Castañeda, director of the Manila North Cemetery, apologized to the visitors affected by the cemetery’s closure.
“I apologize for all those who got frustrated because they were not able to enter the cemetery today,” she said, noting that some of those who were barred entry came all the way from the provinces.
“I hope you understand the decision to close the cemetery was all for your safety,’’ Castañeda added.
She said they were afraid that allowing thousands of visitors to pay their respects to their departed loved ones’ graves in the middle of a storm would pose a risk to the public.
“Some of the visitors may get injured by the falling branches of the trees. Or maybe we have a visitor who could slip while walking along the wet pavement and may get seriously hurt,” Castañeda added.
The continuous rains flooded some parts of both Manila North and South cemeteries. The strong winds of Paeng fell down some trees inside the cemeteries.
At Manila South Cemetery, one of the fallen trees hit a parked motorcycle. No one was hurt.
The Manila government has imposed a “no mask no entry” policy at the Manila North Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Lacuna, a physician, said the policy was implemented amid the large volume of people expected to pay their visit until Nov. 2, which could reach up to a million people. Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Friday advised the public to visit their departed loved ones during the long weekend.
“This coming Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are the best days to consider when planning to visit cemeteries, memorial parks, columbaria, and other holiday places of convergence to avoid crowding,” he said.
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