As families visit their departed loved ones on “Undas,” Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro inspected on Monday, Oct. 31, the five cemeteries in the city to ensure the public’s adherence to the health standards and protocols, as well as peace and order in the areas.
Teodoro, along with officers from the Marikina City Police and key city government officials, visited the Loyola Memorial Park, Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish Cemetery, Holy Child Cemetery, Aglipay Cemetery, and Barangka Cemetery.
To facilitate an orderly and peaceful “Undas,” the local government mobilized the Marikina police, the Office of Public Safety and Security (OPSS), Marikina Rescue 161, the waste management, the local Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other force multipliers in all the cemeteries.
As part of the city government’s guidelines for “Undas,” Teodoro urged the public to observe the minimum public health and safety protocols during their visits.
“Hinihikayat natin ang publiko na magsuot pa rin ng face mask, mag-social distancing, at sumunod sa iba pang mga health at safety protocols na ipinapatupad sa mga sementeryo para manatiling ligtas ang paggunita ng Undas ngayong taon (We encourage the public to still wear face masks, observe social distancing, and follow the other health and safety protocols enforced in the cemeteries to ensure the safety of this year’s Undas),” said Teodoro.
Wearing of face masks is voluntary but highly encouraged as an added protection against Covid-19.
Teodoro urged individuals exhibiting Covid-like symptoms to refrain from visiting the cemeteries and remain in their homes.
Emergency medical teams and public safety officers were stationed in strategic areas at the five cemeteries.
Cemeteries staff and personnel have been fully vaccinated and received their booster shots.
Vendors are allowed to sell flowers, candles, and other items in the vicinity of the cemeteries except for the sidewalks.
The city government said they have opened the “Pag-alala sa mga Yumao: Candles & Flowers One-Stop-Shop,” where visitors can buy candles and flowers at Freedom Park, located right in front of the City Hall.
Signages reminding visitors to wear masks and follow health standards are placed at the entrances of the cemeteries.
Firearms, bladed weapons, alcoholic drinks, gambling paraphernalia, and loudspeakers are prohibited inside the cemeteries.
Traffic guidelines have also been issued for Monday, Oct. 31 to Tuesday, Nov. 1.
“Hinihiling po natin sa publiko ang kanilang pakikiisa at mahigpit na sundin ang mga alituntuning ito nang sa gayon ay hindi po tayo maabala sa ating pagbisita sa ating mga yumaong mahal sa buhay (We ask the public to cooperate and follow these rules to facilitate peaceful and undisturbed visitations),” he said.