ILOILO City – All public and private cemeteries in Antique will open on All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2), which Antiqueños traditionally mark by visiting the graves of their dead kin.
Gov. Rhodora Cadiao won’t order a closure but she intends to enforce restrictions like the observance of social distancing, mandatory wearing of face shield and facemask and hand washing.
“Ako giya sa Antique indi ah. Silingon ko lang sila agto lang kamo between Oct. 25 to Nov. 5 indi kamo magdagsa sa Nov. 1 kag 2 kay indi kamo pagpasudlon tanan,” said Cadiao.
Earlier, the National Task Force against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) chief implementer secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said he would recommend the temporary closure of cemeteries in a bid to prevent crowding as the COVID-19 pandemic persists.
Cadiao, however, pointed out that the national government should allow local government units to decide on the closure of cemeteries during “Undas.”
“Kon mag-composed sang isa ka order please take into consideration the dynamics of every provinces. Sa Antique wara tana naga-crowd ang mga tawo sa mga sementeryo, even if we put them together,” the governor explained.
However, she plans to bar senior citizens and children from entering cemeteries; bringing of food and alcoholic beverages inside likewise would be prohibited.
“Waay kan-anay kay bal-an mo mostly naga-picnic na sila da. So, do not bring food inside cemeteries kag ang mga bata kag mal-am indi man pag-tugutan nga makagwa sa ila panimalay,”said Cadiao. In Region 6, Iloilo City was the first local government unit to close cemeteries during this year’s “Undas” season from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 to prevent the gathering of people and avoid the further spread of coronavirus./PN
