Metro Manila mayors to tackle closure of cemeteries during Undas

September 10, 2020

The chairman of the Metro Manila Council on Thursday said they will come up with a unified policy for the observation of All Saints and All Souls days so less people will become infected with the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19).

In a radio interview, Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, MMC chairman, said Metro Manila mayors will meet on Sunday and one of their agenda concerns Undas, a yearly tradition for Filipinos where they visit graves of their departed loved ones.

"We will discuss it this coming Sunday… It’s part of our agenda so that we will have a uniform, unified policy for the coming Todos Los Santos," said Olivarez.

After the announcements of Manila and Mandaluyong of temporary closure of their cemeteries on October 30 to November 2, Olivarez said this is the local government unit’s prerogative.

“As of now, there is no order in Parañaque yet because I’m still waiting on what we will be discussed by the Metro Manila Council,” he said.

"But what the two LGUs did, that is their prerogative,” added.

Following the announcement of the two cities, San Juan City also announced the temporary closure of cemeteries and columbaries. Halloween celebrations are also prohibited in the city.

The three cities made the decision to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

The IATF is set to discuss the matter during their meeting next week.