San Juan City gears up for ‘Undas’ 2023

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora leads the inspection of the San Juan City Cemetery to ensure the safety and security of the public on “Undas.”

MANILA, Philippines –  San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora led the inspection of the San Juan City Cemetery on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, just before city residents flock to the cemetery to visit their deceased loved ones for Undas 2023.

This is to ensure that the city’s main cemetery, along with the columbaries of St. John The Baptist and Santuario del Sto. Cristo, are ready for the estimated 5,000-10,000 people who will visit in the coming days.

“Nandito po tayo ngayon upang inspeksyunin ang San Juan Cemetery para sa paghahanda sa Undas 2023 at magbigay paalala sa mga mamamayan sa mga pwede at hindi pwede gawin sa loob ng sementeryo,” said Zamora. 

“Taun-taon ay may sapat tayong paghahanda at hindi pa nagkaroon ng insidente ng kaguluhan dito,” he added.

Members of San Juan police,  Bureau of Fire Protection, Public Order and Safety Office and Task Force Disiplina will be deployed in cemeteries and columbaries to maintain peace and order.

Quick response teams of the San Juan CDRRMO will also be deployed while CSWD booths will also opened in the area for emergencies and eventualities. 

READ: DPWH to deploy roadside help teams for ‘Undas 2023’ travelers

San Juan PNP bike patrollers will also monitor the cemeteries and will only be the ones authorized to bring in bicycles inside the cemetery.

Banned inside cemeteries are sharp objects and firearms, illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, bicycles and motorcycles.

Loud music, littering, gambling, selling of items like flowers, food and drinks, and candles without special mayor’s permit, and tapping of electricity are also prohibited.

Zamora also announced that the city is preparing to build its own multi-level crematorium and columbarium by 2024. 

“Kapag meron na tayong sariling pasilidad, they can be cremated here. We will have thousand of units of niches na pwede ihimlay ang ating mga pumanaw. At dahil magkakaroon na rin tayo ng chapel, maiiwasan yung mga ibuburol sa kalye. So hindi na yan mangyayari sa San Juan kapag mayroon na tayong chapel,” Zamora said. 

The proposed multi-level columbarium and crematorium is still part of Makabagong San Juan’s goal of taking care of its residents from “womb to tomb”.

Currently, the city provides burial and cremation assistance .