Cemeteries in Cebu City open on 'kalag-kalag' subject to strict regulations

CEBU, Philippines —  All public and private cemeteries in Cebu City will be allowed to open on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day subject to strict compliance to rules from the city government.

“The pandemic did not only increase the mortality rate but also curtailed the practice on how Cebuanos honor and pay homage to their dead including the conduct of solemn ceremonies and graveyard visits. In the past, Oplan Kalag-Kalag has been continuously observed by Cebu City Government but not under a pandemic situation,” reads Directive No. 10-14-01 issued by Acting Mayor Michael Rama.

“Administrators of public and private cemeteries have submitted their respective pandemic related contingency plan which identified all necessary measures that must be observed during the celebration and cemetery visits on All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day, for the review, evaluation and approval of the Office of the Mayor through EOC (Emergency Operations Center),” it added.

The observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in Cebu City, particularly cemetery visits this year, will be done through a so-called extended and categorized manner, which will start not later than October 18 until November 5.

Private and public cemeteries will be opened only from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Only those between 18 to 65 years old are allowed to enter the cemetery. Residents with immunodeficiency, comorbidity or other health risks, as well as pregnant women, are advised otherwise.

Categorized, scheduled

The visitation schedule for a particular age group or category must be disseminated ahead of the observance.

Cemeteries will be open to all visitors, vaccinated and unvaccinated against COVID-19, from October 18 to October 30 and from November 3 to November 5 only.

Only those who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter the cemeteries on November 1 (All Saints’ Day) and November 2 (All Souls’ Day).

Only five visitors per grave will be allowed at any given time. A monitoring and enforcement team will ensure compliance.

Holy Masses are allowed to be celebrated inside the cemetery but only in its Chapel at 50 percent indoor capacity from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and should last for 30 minutes only.

Bringing of food, eating, and drinking of alcoholic beverages are prohibited inside the cemeteries with “exception of those which are intended as offering to the dead.”

Any form of gambling and other recreational activities are also prohibited.

Visitors are strongly advised to stay for a maximum of one hour to give chance to others who will be waiting outside.

No vendors and merchandise will be allowed inside the cemeteries. Vending and selling of merchandise can be done only in authorized areas, which must be located outside a 30 -meter radius from the cemetery entrance.

Cemetery management must sanitize and disinfect when the cemeteries are closed from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.

All preparatory jobs and activities like cleaning, painting, putting up of signages, lettering, repair, and installation must be done and completed on or before October 25.

Minimum health protocols like wearing of face mask and face shield, physical distancing, frequent hand washing and/or using of disinfectant, alcohol based hand sanitizer, among others, must be observed at all times.

The allowed capacity of a particular cemetery must be observed and monitored at all times subject to duly authorized adjustments.

The Task Force Puyo headed by the chief of the Cebu City Police Office is mandated to enforce Executive Order 137 strictly.

Cemetery administrators are also advised to coordinate and meet with officials of the barangay where their cemetery is located, as well as with the officials of parishes, chapels, community associations, and homeowners’ groups so that the rules can be cascaded to residents faster. – JMO (FREEMAN)