Zafra: Include cemetery residents in city housing program

CEBU, Philippines — Following a “generally peaceful” observance of KalagKalag 2024, a Cebu City legislator called upon the city government to include settlers inside cemeteries in its long-term plans for its socialized housing program.

In an interview yesterday, Councilor Phillip Zafra, chairman of the City Council’s committee on peace and order, said the two-day (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day) observance of Kalagkalag in Cebu City has been generally peaceful, with no major untoward incidents reported.

He commended the local police force led by Police Colonel Antonietto Cañete, who also personally inspected the cemeteries, as well as the other agencies and groups (Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines), Maritime Group, Task Force Kasaligan, BPAT, Cebu City K9 Unit) for the assistance.

He also commended the force multipliers, the barangay tanod and the volunteer organizations as well as the Cebu City Traffic Office (CCTO) and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for the help in ensuring an orderly observance of the Kalagkalag.

Zafra also expressed gratitude to the public for the cooperation in strictly following the guidelines implemented by the city government.

“Atoa sab pasalamatan Ang atoang mga kaigsoonan nga ni cooperate sa atoang mga autoridad sa pagtuman sa mga guidelines and regulations nga atoa gipatuman sulod sa mga sam-ang,” he said.

Zafra said that as early as Oct. 28, peacekeeping personnel were already in place to anticipate the beginning of the influx of visitors.

He said, though, that among the concerns that the city government should already address is the presence of settlers inside the cemeteries.

He admitted that inasmuch as the government would want to relocate them every Kalagkalag. He was glad, though, that these settlers have been cooperative and did not cause any disturbance.

“Mismo sila ni-adjust man sila sa situation nga kanang panahona ato gyud tagaan og convenience ang atong mga kaigsuonan nga mobisita sa ilang mahal sa kinabuhi diha sa matag sam-ang. In fact, ang uban ana nang-negosyo pa og buwak, naninda og kandila, ang uban nag-offer pa og services sa mga nitso og lubnganan, so ni coexist ra sad sila,” the councilor said.

He, however, said that the fact still remains that they are not supposed to be living in cemeteries, which is why the City must address this by including and prioritizing them in the city’s housing program.

Zafra said it is not conducive for families to raise their children inside cemeteries.

“Pero mao lagi na siya, sa kakuwang pud sa atong kaigsuonan ug sa programa sa atong gobiyerno naay pipila sa atong mga kaigsuonan nga way laing kadangpan. Wa sad mabadlong sa management, wa sad dayon matabangan sa gobiyerno, so didto na tawon sila nagpuyo,” he said.

In line with this, he called upon the City’s Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to include the cemetery settlers in the city’s socialized housing programs.

“So hopefully, kani sila, malakip, gawas atong mga naapil sa three-meter-easement zone sa mga sapa og uban pa, iapil sad tawon nato ni sila aron mapahiluna na intawon and eventually, ato gyung ma-preserve ang resting place sa atong mga mahal sa kinabuhi,” the councilor said.

Garbage

Meanwhile, City Public Information Officer Ramil Ayuman said the City’s Department of Public Services collected 38.46 tons of garbage from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, or during the observance of the Kalagkalag.

He said the DPS collected the most volume of garbage inside Calamba Public Cemetery (9.6 tons), followed by Queens City Cemetery (4.8 tons), Carreta Public Cemetery (3.8 tons).

DPS also collected 2.88 tons of mixed waste from the Poblacion Pardo Public Cemetery and Cebu Memorial Park, 2.94 tons from the Veterans’ Cemetery, 2.5 tons from Cabantan Cemetery, 2.4 tons from Talamban Cemetery, 2 tons from Doña Pepang Cemetery, and 2.16 tons from the Chinese Cemetery.

Ayuman said DPS personnel continue work even today as part of their after-care activities to ensure that the cemeteries are free of the trash left behind during the Kalagkalag.

Also, CCTO reported that it issued 490 citations for illegal parking violations in Nov. 1 and 2. During All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) alone, 176 citations were issued, four motorcycles and an e-bike were seized for safekeeping, and five vehicles were clamped.

On All Souls’ Day, 314 citations were issued, seven motorcycle were towed, 11 vehicles were secured, two vehicles were clamped, and another e-bike was placed on safekeeping.

The Cebu City Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team and the Barangay Environmental Officers also issued numerous citations for those caught smoking in public, urinating in public, and littering.

In contrast, no such violations were noted in cemeteries in the mountain barangays of the city.

Successful observance

The Police Regional Office-7 said the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day in Central Visayas this year has been successful, thanks to extensive preparation and effective collaboration among the Philippine National Police (PNP), various government agencies, and local government units.

PRO-7 Regional Director PBGen Anthony Aberin emphasized that the comprehensive security plan, which included the strategic deployment of security personnel, efficient traffic management, safety advisories, and the establishment of Police Assistance Desks, was crucial in ensuring a safe environment for the public visiting cemeteries and memorial sites.

No major incidents were reported, affirming the effectiveness of the security measures in place. Approximately 3,000 security personnel were deployed across 421 cemeteries and other key areas to ensure public safety.

In a statement on their Facebook page, PBGen Aberin acknowledged the vital partnerships with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as well as the efforts of volunteers from advocacy organizations. These collaborations greatly enhanced the commitment to maintaining public safety during this important observance.

“This concerted effort has delivered a safe, secure, and successful observance of Kalag-kalag 2024 in Central Visayas. The success of this security plan will serve as a benchmark for future preparations, including the Christmas Holidays and the Sinulog Festival,” Aberin added.

Dangerous stunt

Meanwhile, after the Highway Patrol Group-7 summoned three content creators Thursday last week because of their dangerous stunt at the Transcentral Highway last Oct. 27, Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 Director Glenn Galario said they would also launch a formal investigation into the matter.

He said he already tasked their Intelligence and Investigation Unit to conduct a thorough examination of the viral video that content creators Leonilo “Boy Banat” Arquita, Jason “Jason lK” Engalan, and a third person made of their stunt and the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Galario said LTO-7 remains committed to ensure road safety for all users, through the strict and impartial enforcement of land transportation laws and regulations.

“We strongly urge content creators, given their significant influence on social media, to demonstrate responsible behavior and refrain from performing dangerous stunts that could endanger themselves and potentially inspire unsafe imitation by their followers,” he said.

In the video, Engalan, who was dressed as “Spiderman”, was driving a motorcycle with an assembled sidecar. Arquita, who was dressed as Son Goku of the Dragon Balls cartoon series, was riding on the roof of the sidecar doing a few stutns.  Another person, who was wearing a Batman costume, rode as a passenger of the sidecar.

The video of their shenanigan, which was deemed as posing great risk to motorists, especially that the Transcentral Highway is an accident-prone area, went viral.

Thursday last week, HPG-7 Chief Wilbert Parilla summoned the three to his office but only Engalan and Arquita showed up. Parilla said the “Batman” guy should likewise explain himself at his office if he does not want to face criminal complaints.

Both Engalan and Arquita apologized for what they did and promised that they would not do it again.