DAVAO CITY — At the end of October, the global death toll from the COVID virus had topped five million. The pandemic has also prevented people from seeing their departed in their final resting places in the Philippines, where 104 more COVID deaths have been reported, bringing the total number of cases to 2.79 million as of November 1.
However, the closure of cemeteries and columbaria does not prevent people from remembering their loved ones on November 1 and 2, All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. The pain of loss is still raw for many in the aftermath of COVID. Two COVID outbreaks in the country this year, driven by more infectious Alpha, Beta, and then Delta variants, claimed more lives in a few months than the entire year of 2020.
As if deaths from COVID weren’t tragic enough, more people died as the deadly war on illegal drugs continued despite the pandemic. For the spirits seeking justice and their devastated loved ones, there is no peace. Armed attacks on journalists have continued, with the most recent casualty being Davao del Sur radio anchor and reporter Orlando Dinoy, who was shot dead inside his own home on October 30.
Natural disasters, which had been claiming lives in the country before the outbreak, added to the death toll for the year.
A worthy manner of honoring the dead, besides praying for the souls of those who have passed on, is to vow to do more to lessen COVID’s toll. While there is no silver bullet to stop the pandemic, following safety standards and getting vaccinated can help to limit transmission and mortality.
Those who died in the violent war on drugs can find eternal peace provided they are given justice and the approach to combating the drug issue respects the constitutionally guaranteed right to life.
The days dedicated to saints and souls can also serve as occasions for expressing commitments to the preservation of life in addition to commemorating the dead.
Public cemetery upkeep and survival of the living
The local government unit of Cagayan de Oro City is a good example. Last month, the local administration began renovations on the 19-hectare Bolonsori Public Cemetery, which are expected to cost P367 million. Although only ten (10) of the city’s 19 hectares will be renovated, the other nine (9) hectares will be used as an informal settlers’ relocation site.
The land development started last October 9, 2021.
Engineer Armen Cuenca, head of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), said the project’s planning phase has been finished at a cost of 367 million pesos. “The project will take two years to complete, with the area divided into four phases in development,” he added.
Construction of a columbarium and crematorium, as well as an apartment-style niche that will function as a perimeter barrier, will be part of the rehabilitation.
“Even before the (Covid-19) pandemic, when we were planning this, we had the crematorium in mind. The columbarium will serve as a new niche for those buried here,” Cuenca explained.
According to Sol Mosqueda, the project’s focal person, a paucity of cemetery lots has forced the local administration to rebuild the cemetery. Mosqueda added saying, almost 50 thousand people have been buried here since 1982, and the space has ran out.
“This is a matter of space management,” Mosqueda continued, “and we need to standardize our cemeteries.”
There are 21 cemeteries in the city, four of which are private cemeteries.
However, there is a problem: 355 households have taken up residence in the cemetery and must be relocated in order for the rehabilitation to proceed.
In Kidapawan City, over 300 graveyards have been exhumed to pave the way for a high-rise niche because the city government needs space to accommodate the remains.
It can be recalled that the city government exhumed and transferred thousands of skulls to Binoligan public cemetery when the then public cemetery in Bautista St. was closed several years back.
Melchor dela Cruz, the caretaker of the public cemetery said in vernacular, “When we exhume, a family member is called to witness, that is the policy of the city, we need to transfer because there is no more space.”
As of November 8, hundreds of exhumed remains are laced in a plastic garbage bag, left outside the proposed nigh-rice niche waiting for their final graveyard.
The Residents
Yolly Almonte, a 25-year-old resident of the cemetery who was born and raised there, claimed their move would result in a loss of daily income. Her family is one of the folks who work to keep the cemeteries in good shape.
According to Almonte, maintaining the cemeteries has been her source of income since childhood, and the planned renovation will result in her losing her job.
Fe Genese, Almonte’s next-door neighbor, expressed similar sentiments. “My daily income of 300 pesos will inevitably be gone, and the development here will force me to hunt for other means,” Genese said.
Some flower and candle dealers will also be evicted from their homes. According to Cuenca, retailers designated by the local government would be given first priority for space in the cemetery’s commercial zone.
Exhuming bones of the dead
Pastor Kenneth Base of the United Methodist Church urged the local authorities to exercise caution. “We buried our dear departed here with love and respect, and this proposal to relocate them should be the same way,” Base said.
Before the remains are moved, Base advises that prayers be recited.
