The Malabon City local government reopened the Tugatog Public Cemetery (TPC) on Saturday, October 19, allowing families and relatives to visit their loved ones as part of the All Saints' and All Souls' Days commemoration.
(Photos from Hannah Nicol)
The reopening event started with a Holy Mass offered for the souls of the deceased individuals buried in the cemetery.
“Ngayon na malapit na ang Undas ay ating sinikap na mabuksan ito kahit na maraming pang kailangan tapusin sa lugar simula ng i-redevelop ito. Nagkaroon ng mga alalahanin ang mga residente ukol sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay (Now that Undas is approaching, we have made efforts to open the cemetery, even though there is still much to be completed since its redevelopment began. Residents had concerns about their loved ones),” City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval said.
“Ngunit ating tinutukan ang mga pagsasaayos sa lugar simula ng tayo ay manungkulan bilang alkalde ng Malabon. Kahit parte lamang ng sementeryo ang maaring buksan para sa darating na Undas ay sinisiguro nating ligtas, malinis, at kaaya-aya ang lugar upang maayos na makapagdasal ang mga Malabueño sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay na nandito (However, we have been focused on improving the site since I took office as mayor of Malabon. Even though only a portion of the cemetery can be opened for this upcoming Undas, we are ensuring that the area is safe, clean, and presentable so that the people of Malabon can properly pray for their departed loved ones),” she added.
Before the reopening, the city government offered free cremation for exhumed remains due to the redevelopment of the cemetery.
They distributed request and consent forms and explained the guidelines for cremation or transfer of remains to the ossuary or bone depository.
The City Health Department-Sanitation Division (CHD-SD) coordinated with over 500 families who availed of the free cremation package, which included urns, flowers, candles, transportation of remains to the crematorium, and other cemetery fees.
(Photos from Hannah Nicol)
Sandoval personally visited the TPC last Wednesday, October 16, to address the concern and hear the messages of families who requested free cremation for their deceased relatives.
She also assured the families that the city government will continue to implement programs and projects for those buried in the cemetery.
“Hindi po namin pababayaan ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay na yumao at inilibing dito sa Tugatog Public Cemetery bago pa man simulan ang pagsasaayos nito noong 2021 (We will not neglect your loved ones who passed away and were buried here in Tugatog Public Cemetery before the renovation began in 2021),” she said.
“Itong libreng cremation na ating inilapit sa kanilang mga pamilya ay isa sa mga paunang serbisyong ating maibibigay para masiguro na nasa maayos na kalagayan ang mga labi at magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa kanilang mga puso (This free cremation service that we have made available for their families is one of the initial services we can provide to ensure that the remains are well taken care of, giving peace to their hearts),” Sandoval added.
The mayor emphasized that families availing of the services would not incur any fees but must coordinate with the city.
“Wala ho kayong babayaran, makipag-ugnayan lang po sa ating pamahalaang lungsod. Alam natin na matagal nang naghihintay ang mga Malabueño na mabisita at makapagdasal para sa kanilang mga yumaong mga mahal sa buhay na nasa sementeryo na ito (You won't have to pay anything, just coordinate with our city government. We know that the people of Malabon have long been waiting to visit and pray for their departed loved ones resting in this cemetery),” she said.
According to the city’s public information office, the city government partnered with the Valenzuela City crematorium to provide free cremation services to around 20 remains, which were transported to the facility on Wednesday.
Sandoval along with the City Engineering Department (CED) and City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) officers inspected the cemetery to ensure that the areas are safe for visitors.
The departments also repainted the columbarium, repaired infrastructure, landscaped the area, and cleared shrubs in preparation for Undas.
The city government also installed portalets, water stations, and sanitizers to ensure visitor hygiene and safety.
Residents were reassured that the exhumed bodies during TPC’s redevelopment remain secure.
They also offered assistance for cremation or transfer to the ossuary or other cemeteries.
An action center was also set up to help visitors locate their loved ones' niches or vaults in the columbarium or ossuary and to maintain cleanliness, peace, and order.
It added that the local government started constructing the two-story building with 600 niches to accommodate more deceased Malabueños.
“Noong 2021 po nang pansamantalang isara ang Tugatog Cemetery dahil sa redevelopment na sinimulan rito, at alam po namin ang hinaing ng mga Malabueño na masigurong nasa maayos na kalagayan ang mga labi ng kanilang mga minamahal. Kaya ho tayo ay tumutok sa pagsasaayos nito at nagsagawa ng mga aktibidad upang masiguro na maayos nating mabibigyan sila ng pag-alala. Nagtayo ng Wall of Remembrance noong nakaraang Undas (In 2021, the Tugatog Cemetery was temporarily closed due to the redevelopment that began, and we understand the concerns of the people of Malabon about ensuring the proper care of their loved ones' remains. That's why we have been focused on its rehabilitation and have undertaken activities to ensure we can honor them appropriately. Last Undas, we established a Wall of Remembrance as a tribute),” City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete said.
“Huwag po kayong mag-alala dahil sisiguruhin natin na matatapos ang redevelopment na ito sa lalong madaling panahon upang makapagbigay ng mas magandang serbisyo at programa para sa inyo at sa inyong mga yumaong minamahal (Do not worry, as we will ensure that this redevelopment is completed as soon as possible to provide better services and programs for you and your dearly departed loved ones),” Rosete added.