ILOILO City – Praying is the best way to mark All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2, respectively, according to the Archdiocese of Jaro.
Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered the closure of both public and private cemeteries on these dates to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Ilonggos traditionally visit the graves of their dead kin on these dates, say a prayer, light candles and offer flowers.
But according to Father Angelo Colada, director of the Archdiocese of Jaro’s Commission on Social Communications, offering prayers is what’s essential on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day and this need not be done in the cemetery.
“We go back sa real liturgy. We always pray for the dead. Nagadumdom kita. The best way is to pray bisan dira sa aton puloy-an. Puede man maka-access kita sa simbahan kay wala man naga-close ang simbahan,” Colada told Panay News.
The Archdiocese of Jaro will be complying with the Iloilo City government’s order closing cemeteries.
Colada said people also have the option of visiting the tombs of their dead kin before Nov. 1 and 2.
“Indi lang magdulongan. Nami mag-pray sa cemetery kon wala damo tawo. Wala distraction,” he said.
The Catholic Church maintains cemeteries in the districts of Jaro, Mandurriao, La Paz, City Proper, and Arevalo.
The city government, on the other hand, is overseeing three public cemeteries – the Tanza Public Cemetery; the one in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro district; and one in Barangay Jereos, La Paz district.
There are also privately-managed cemeteries in the city – at least four located mostly in Jaro and Mandurriao.
According to Mayor Treñas, the closure of cemeteries will actually start on Oct. 30 when people usually begin cleaning tombs in preparation for Nov. 1 and 2 observances.
Treñas’ executive order on the cemetery closure issued last week cited Republic Act 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act) which stated that local government units were mandated to “act within the letter and spirit of all rules, regulations and directives of the national government, and for them to fully cooperate in implementing policies” related to COVID-19.
The closure order also covers columbaria or repositories of urns that contain the ashes of cremated dead people.
The closure order, however, may be lifted if the city records no COVID-19 cases.
Iloilo City is currently under modified general community quarantine.
Violators of the closure order face appropriate administrative and/or criminal charges for violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or city ordinances relating to the efforts of the city government and national government to prevent the spread of COVID-19./PN