CEBU CITY — Defying the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), Acting Mayor Michael Rama is not ordering the closure of cemeteries here from October 29 to November 2.
But Rama clarified he is not out to fight with the IATF.
“Dili makig-away pero pwede dili mosunod (We will not be quarelling but we can also opt to not follow),” Rama said in a press conference on Wednesday, October 20.
Rama pointed out it will do no harm if the IATF would agree to his directive to open the cemeteries on November and 2 for fully vaccinated individuals.
Rama said he was hoping that the IATF would understand and respect the directive, saying that the city had done the necessary preparations for the observance of the All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day.
“I will tell them to understand and to respect what we already have planned because we planned this long ago, brainstorming it for quite a time. They should know what the word called respect is" said Rama.
Rama has already ordered the opening of cemeteries from October 18 to November 5.
But on November 1 and 2, only fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to visit cemeteries.
“I wish the national government should see the light...the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), likewise we seek for their respect," Rama said.
Rama said he would get in touch with the country's vaccine czar Carlito Galvez or even Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and Presidente Rodrigo Duterte to discuss the matter.
The DILG has announcrd that based on the guidelines released by the IATF, all cemeteries in the country will be closed from October 29 to November 2 to curb the spread of COVID-19 cases.