Street sweeper Ryan De Ocampo works through the long holiday at the Manila North Cemetery on All Souls Day November 2, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Different local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila on Monday released rules for visitors inside cemeteries for the upcoming All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day on Nov. 1 and 2.

MANILA CITY

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna told the media that pets are not allowed inside the Manila South Cemetery and Manila North Cemetery. 

Lacuna and other officials of the city government inspected the Manila South Cemetery on Monday. 

“Hindi po natin papayagan na makapasok muna or dalhin ang mga pets natin para na rin sa proteksyon ng ating mga pets pati na rin po yung mga kababayan natin na tutungo dito,” Lacuna explained. 

According to Henry Dy, officer-in-charge of the Manila South Cemetery, it is expecting about 500,000 to 800,000 visitors this year. 

Meanwhile, Lacuna said the LGU is expecting about 1 million to 1.5 million visitors at the Manila North. 

Visitors will be allowed to stay inside the cemetery from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. only. This will also be implemented at the Manila North Cemetery.

“Ang influx kasi ng mga dumadalaw is November 1 talaga, expect po natin around 500 to 800,000 talaga dadalaw dito. Advise lang natin lalo na yung mga senior, aga-agahan hong pagpunta rito nang sa ganon ay hindi pa masyadong matao. Bawal na po ang sasakyan from October 30 to November 3, open din po ang gate natin sa dalaw from 5:00 a.m. hanggang 7:00 p.m. lang po. Wala po tayong overnight, kasi after ng 7:00 p.m. para may time pa kami maglinis para kinabukasan,” according to Dy. 

SAN JUAN CITY

In San Juan City, Mayor Francis Zamora said the local government will allow pets inside the San Juan Cemetery. 

Zamora asked the public to schedule their trip to the cemetery, especially senior citizens and persons with disability to avoid crowding. 

“Wala naman pong problema sa pets, we just have to be responsible. Kung kaya ‘wag sana tayong sabay-sabay sa October 31 at November 1 pumunta para lang ho hindi sabay-sabay,” according to Zamora. 

San Juan City LGU posted in its social media pages the do’s and don’ts inside the cemetery. 

Visitors are allowed to inside the cemetery from 6:00 a.m. to midnight. 

“Based sa aming historical data, yung mga pamilyang dumadalaw po ay enough naman po hanggang 12-midnight. Hindi naman po kalakihan ang aming sementeryo kumpara po sa iba,” Zamora explained. 

Only 18 vendors who were able to secure a special permit from the LGU are allowed outside the cemetery. 

Firearms, bladed weapons, liquor, and playing cards are also prohibited and will be confiscated at the entrance gate. 

San Juan City police deploys bike patrollers inside and outside the cemetery to ensure police visibility. 

“Nandito po ang San Juan Police, meron din tayong bike patrollers na iikot. Meron tayong help desk dito sa entrance at meron tayon staff na tutulong sa ating mamamayan kung sakaling meron silang pangangailangan. We expect thousands of people to visit San Juan Cemetery in the next few days,” Zamora said.

According to Zamora, aside from its public cemetery, the St. John the Baptist Columbary and the Santuario del Sto. Cristo Crypt are also ready to accommodate visitors.