The prohibition on staying overnight in cemeteries during ‘Undas’ is still in effect.
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reiterated on Friday that staying overnight at cemeteries is not allowed on All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2).
DCPO Spokesperson Major Catherine dela Rey said that although the security cluster is still waiting for the final protocols to be implemented by the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) in cemeteries, they are set to implement prohibitions on staying overnight, carrying pointed objects and backpacks inside the cemeteries.
She said since Davao City is under Alert Level 1, all cemeteries are open to the public. However, DCPO advised Dabawenyos to still strictly observe the minimum public health standards (MPHS).
“For the security cluster, gihinay hinay na namo ug provide ang security dinha sa umaabutay na kalag kalag. Initially sa mga nahimo na mga miting, mag start ta ug October 30 to November 3. Since Davao City is under Alert Level 1 na ta, open na ang mga sementeryo para sa tanan unlike sauna na by batch lang ang pasudlon pero i-maintain gihapon ang minimum public health standards,” she said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Friday.
Last year, former Mayor Sara Duterte has advised Dabawenyos to visit their dead loved ones earlier as the city plans to close cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums for two weeks in observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The former mayor also urged the public to pick any day except weekends to avoid the influx of people to the cemeteries. This was also aimed to prevent mass gatherings and the spread of Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Dela Rey said DCPO will provide security in the 37 cemeteries in Davao City and will be deploying a total of 300 police personnel plus auxiliary.
Cemeteries will be opened from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. during ‘Undas.’
For the health cluster, Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, earlier said that they are also awaiting the final protocols/guidelines to be announced by the PSSCC.
However, she said that, although, protocols are lenient already following the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions through Executive Order (EO) No. 11, wearing the face mask and hand hygiene are still being imposed specially at the cemeteries.
