THE Archdiocese of Cebu has approved the planned construction by the Cebu City Government of more than 1,000 niches in four cemeteries in Cebu City for the remains of people who succumbed to Covid-19.
This was announced by City Councilor David Tumulak on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, after nearly two weeks of waiting for church officials, under the leadership of Archbishop Jose Palma, to agree with the City’s request to build more tombs as part of its response to Covid-19.
“Rev. Father Decoroso Olmilla of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, a member of the board of the Archdiocese of Cebu, gave us a go signal. They want us to proceed right away,” Tumulak said.
During the regular session of the City Council Wednesday, a memorandum of agreement was approved for Mayor Edgardo Labella to sign on behalf of the City Government with Palma of the Archdiocese of Cebu. The agreement, if signed, formalizes the implementation of the project that was pushed by Tumulak and City Councilor Jerry Guardo.
The church will allocate 140 square meters of cemetery space, while the City Government will spend on the construction of the niches. The Archdiocese will maintain and manage the niches.
Prior to the passage of the agreement, Palma embraced the City Government’s proposal as it would also help families who are having difficulty finding graves for their deceased loved ones.
Tumulak said the City Hall will first construct niches in the cemetery in Barangay Luz. The City, though, still lacks materials and manpower to start the work.
He already asked Guardo, chairman of the committee on infrastructure, to prepare all the materials needed for the construction of niches.
The other niches will be built within each cemetery in Barangays Calamba, Talamban and Carreta.
For each cemetery, the City will construct 290 niches, Tumulak said. (PAC / KAL)