The local government of Hagonoy is expediting the installation of sandbags and flood barriers along the river beside the public cemetery in Barangay San Sebastian to prevent further flooding as All Saints’ Day nears.

The Sangguniang Barangay and municipality also joined forces to clean up the cemetery, which has long been affected by floodwaters.

Residents living nearby were urged to help maintain cleanliness in the area despite the continuing floods.

Mayor Charo Sy Alvarado-Mendoza said the cemetery and surrounding roads remain flooded even without rain, blaming the overflow of the river and the effects of high tide.

She expressed frustration over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for allegedly failing to consult with the local government on flood control projects, which she said were left incomplete and poorly designed.

Many residents have voiced their disappointment, saying the cemetery has been submerged in floodwaters for years, making it difficult to visit the graves of their departed loved ones.

They said that finding graves has become a challenge, with some headstones already underwater and names barely visible.

The area has also become foul-smelling due to piles of garbage carried by the flood.

Cemetery caretakers revealed that some families have transferred the remains of their loved ones to other cemeteries due to the persistent flooding.

However, many remains remain in place, as the area has been submerged for nearly a decade.