CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said converting the Doña Pepang Cemetery in Barangay Carreta was agreed upon a long time ago already it should be implemented now.
“We will be agreeing that it will be a part of a park and kanang mga lugar diha nga gipangbuhatan diha og mga balay (those houses built) there should not be there anymore,” he said.
A notice informing the public that the cemetery would be closed starting November 15 to give way for its “redevelopment and beautification” was already placed there.
“Park na siya dili kay akoy nagplano ana, ang Archdiocese pa (Not I but the Archdiocese of Cebu want it converted into a park). I am only implementing it, kay wala man na ma-implement (which was not made a) long time ago,” he added.
Former mayor Tomas Osmeña, however, does not agree to the idea. Remains of several members of the Osmeña clan are in the said cemetery.
“Of course I object. Let him take it (the remains of my relatives). Basta we object. That’s his publicity stunt,” Osmeña told The FREEMAN.
Rama, though, assured that the city government will not touch the Osmeña mausoleum.
“Ang Osmeña mausoleum di na na kuhaon (would remain) because it’s a monument already,” the mayor said.
Asked about the bones of other people buried there, he said the city government will possibly construct a bone chamber where they would be placed.
He said it would depend on the families, adding that something could be done to address this as the area is big.
With regards to the informal settlers inside the cemetery, he said he has instructed the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to handle the matter.
“Alegrahon na sa DWUP kay wala naman silay balay. Ang-ang man og buhatan na’g balay diha nga minteryo man na (DWUP would have to attend to the problem because the people would lose their homes. We cannot also allow houses inside because it is a cemetery),” he said.
The FREEMAN tried to contact DWUP Chief Collin Rosell but he was unavailable as of press time.
Rama said converting the cemetery into a park would also help personnel to better respond to emergencies in the area.
“Open space. Any time naay problema kanang ginganlan og calamity, disaster, naay open space nga klaro,” he said.—Mechelle P. Florita/RHM (FREEMAN)