The Taguig City government urged the public to visit cemeteries before the implementation of the closure of these places on “Undas.”
“In anticipation of the coming All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day, the Metro Manila Council announced that all cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria in the National Capital Region will be closed from October 29 to November 2, 2021,” according to the Taguig Safe City Task Force.
It added, “We would like to encourage the public who have loved ones laid to rest in Taguig to schedule your visit before the scheduled closure to avoid crowding in these areas and ensure the health and safety of everyone.”
Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano, a member of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), signed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Resolution 21-22 dated Oct. 10, urging “Local Government Units of Metro Manila to enact ordinances and/or adopt resolutions restricting the access to public and private cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria for a period of five (5) days starting on 29 October 2021 up to 02 November 2021.”
In order to implement the MMDA resolution, LGUs in Metro Manila need to enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution to close the places from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2.
Last year, the Taguig City government closed public and private cemeteries, and memorial parks, including columbaria from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4, 2020 except for burial and cremation services. People were allowed to visit the places before the closure but limited to 30 percent of the venue’s capacity.
According to the MMDA resolution, “Undas or All Saints’ Day will be observed nationwide on 01 November 2021 where Filipinos traditionally gather in public and private cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria with family and friends to honor, remember, and pay homage to the dearly departed.”
“In order to avoid mass gatherings during Undas and thereby complement the efforts exerted by the Metro Manila Mayors in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the National Capital Region, it is encouraged that individuals visit the public and private cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria on dates earlier than 29 October 2021 or later than 02 November 2021 subject to the prescribed thirty percent (30%) venue capacity thereof,” it added.