MANDALUYONG GOVERNMENT SET TO CELEBRATE UNDAS

The City Government of Mandaluyong has already started the cleaning and sanitation of its three  cemeteries in preparation for the celebration of All Saint’s Day (November 1) and All Soul’s Day (November 2), or Undas, this year.

Mayor Ben Abalos said the cleaning and sanitation of cemeteries in the city has already started last week. Those who are going to visit their departed love ones at the Garden of Life Park (GLP), Roman Catholic Cemetery (San Felipe Neri), and Paradise Park should only have to worry about repainting the tombstones, niches, mausoleums, and similar structures.

Ten e-tricycles are also set to be deployed on November 1 to give free rides for those going to the cemeteries from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Abalos is encouraging individuals who will visit the cemeteries to wear face mask and practice hand sanitation either with the use of alcohol/hand sanitizer or by proper hand washing as part of the minimum health protocols. Children five (5) yeas old and above who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter cemeteries as long as they are accompanied by their parent/guardian. Senior citizens can visit cemeteries but are encouraged to stay at home during this time for their safety and well-being.

For families whose departed relatives were cremated at the GLP, Abalos is  advising them to take home the urns from the columbarium seven days ahead of the Undas celebration to pay their respects and return it seven days after. The practice of taking home the urns was started by former city mayor (now DILG Secretary) Benhur Abalos to reduce the number of individuals visiting the GLP during Undas.

The city has also prepared a traffic rerouting scheme affecting the areas around the cemeteries that will take effect from October 29 until November 2, 2022 which is posted at the Mandaluyong City official FB page (https://www.facebook.com/MandaluyongPIO). And to further reduce the volume of people and garbage during Undas, the city government will prohibit ambulant vendors of any kind around the cemeteries mentioned.