On the Sunday before All Saints’ Day or Undas, there was a considerable increase in the number of visitors to Manila’s largest cemeteries.
According to Jonathan Andal report on 24 Oras Weekend there were approximately 30,000 persons at the Manila North Cemetery. Officials there estimate the number could reach up to two million up to November 2 or All Souls’ Day.
There was a virtual traffic jam at the entrance to the cemetery where people, senior citizens included, who prefer not to walk took their vehicles inside while it was still permitted.
Part of the preparations by staff include wheelchairs since starting Wednesday, vehicles will not be allowed inside the premises.
Daniel Tan, Manila North Cemetery Director, said they were surprised during the weekend because they expected visitors to start coming in droves beginning on the 29th.
There were last minute cleanups and touchups to some graves since these are only allowed until Monday.
A worker said he gets paid from P1,500 to 500 pesos per grave.
Rufina, a visitor, lighted candles at the unmarked grave of her 17-day old baby who passed away in 2014. Her child’s resting place has been built over by additional tombs. She was offered to transfer the remains to an “apartment” but her family declined because it came with a contract and regular payments, a situation where complications could lead to the remains being transferred to a location they might not be able to find.
Manila North Cemetery has a website to assist families locate where their loved ones are buried. However, out of a million buried in the cemetery, only 400,000 have been recorded. Ongoing efforts to update the site is hampered by paper records slowly disintegrating from termites and the passage of time.
Airconditioning has been installed in one buildings of the columbarium. Visitors, however, were advised they cannot light candles inside and are directed to use candle stands placed outside.
Burials are allowed until Tuesday. These will resume after the Undas.
Cemetery officials said loudspeakers, alcoholic beverages, playing cards, sharp objects and pets are not allowed inside the premises.
The same policy is in effect for the Manila South Cemetery, where 7,000 persons visited on Sunday, the last day where cleaning tombs were allowed before the Undas.
Officials expect November 1 to have the most number of visitors.
Motorists were advised that from October 30 to November 3, Blumentritt, Dimasalang, Maceda, the southboud lane of Dimasalang Bridge and the portion of Aurora Boulevard along the Manila North Cemetery and Chinese Cemetery will be closed to to vehicular traffic. The Manila Police District will provide a re-routing plan.
The Manila North Cemetery will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. up to Tuesday. From Wednesday to Sunday the operating schedule will be from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. —RF, GMA Integrated News
