ALL cemeteries in Pilar town, Camotes will be closed for residents and visitors on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1-2, 2021, in accordance with the new order of Pilar Mayor Manuel Santiago.
The local executive made the recent amendment to his Executive Order (EO) No. 31 in response to the guidelines set by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for all local government units (LGUs) to follow.
“All LGUs are enjoined to adopt and implement ordinances, executive orders, or resolutions restricting access to cemeteries, memorial parks, columbaria for a period of five days, from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, 2021,” read a portion of the DILG guidelines.
The DILG closure order is meant to prevent locals from mass gathering, which can spread the coronavirus.
Last Oct. 28, Santiago announced the opening of all cemeteries on Nov. 1 and 2 allowing Pilar residents to visit their departed loved ones.
Pilar town comprises of Barangays Biasong, Dapdap, Lanao, Montserrat, Moabog and Villahermosa.
Santiago first described the cemeteries in Pilar as open, which he meant literally. This is because most cemeteries in the countryside have no fences.
To avoid mass gathering in cemeteries, the mayor already instructed authorities to be on guard to ensure that no one violates his order.
Santiago, however, assured that the cemeteries will be open to multiple visits in the remaining months of the year after the “kalag-kalag,” the Cebuano term for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The mayor hopes for understanding from his constituents and he urged them to follow the closure order for a peaceful observance of “kalag-kalag.” (ANV / KAL)