ILOILO City – Only individuals fully or partially vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be allowed to enter cemeteries here on All Saints’ and All Souls’ days on Nov. 1 and 2, respectively.
This measure aims to avert the spread of the coronavirus, according Mayor Jerry P. Treñas who issued Executive Order (EO) No. 85-2022 providing guidelines for the observance of Piesta Minatay in public and private cemeteries, columbaria and similar places.
The strict entry regulation actually begins on Oct. 31 when people are expected to start visiting their departed loved ones ahead of All Saints’ Day.
Adults must present their COVID-19 vaccination cards and valid identification cards.
Minors will also be required to present vaccination cards but must be accompanied by either fully or partially vaccinated adults.
An individual may be considered fully vaccinated if more than or equal to two weeks have lapsed after he/she had received the second dose of a two-dose vaccine; or more than or equal to two weeks after he/she has received a single-dose vaccine.
Partially vaccinated, on the other hand, are those who have received one or more doses of an authorized vaccine but have not reached the full 14 days after the final dose of the primary series.
The city government has also designated areas for flower vendors.
Under the EO, the identified designated areas where the sale of flowers will be allowed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, 2022 are at the following:
* Arevalo district – Rizal Street and Osmeña Street
* Molo district – M.H. del Pilar Street
* Mandurriao district – Oñate Street (alongside Mandurriao Public Market)
* Iloilo City Proper (Iloilo Central Market) – Iznart Street, Aldeguer Street and Rizal Street, and
* Jaro Plaza – outside the perimeters of the plaza (from corner E. Lopez Street to Luna Street)
Flower vendors must secure a special permit from city hall.
Special permits will be granted upon submission of the requirements which include:
* barangay clearance from respective barangay on where to sell (owner – original and photocopy)
* community tax certificate (owner – original and photocopy)
* COVID-19 vaccination cards (owner and helpers – original and photocopy)
* any valid ID (owner and helpers – original and photocopy)
* special permit contract from Special Services Division (SSD) (two copies)
* anti-smoking signage from Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST)
The city mayor sternly warned any employees or job contractors of the city, such as from the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), particularly its SSD and Anti-squatting and Illegal Structure Demolition Division, not to collect fees from flower vendors.
The said offices are directed “to also ensure that no fees will be charged or collected against them by other persons, except for the electricity and a special permit fee, which should be directly paid to the Office of the City Treasurer as a requisite for the issuance of the special permit.”
Mayor Treñas said violation of this provision will be considered an administrative offense and shall be dealt with administratively without prejudice to the criminal action which may be filed in connection therewith.
Applications for special permits will be accommodated from Oct. 20 to 28, 2022.
The issuance of special permits is subjected to some conditions, such as follows:
* vendors must process their special permit through the Business Permits and Licensing Division (BPLD) of the City Mayor’s Office and a payment of P200 per stall shall be paid through the City Treasurer’s Office;
* vendors shall strictly observe no drugs, no smoking and no drinking of alcohol policies;
* vendors shall strictly observe health protocols such as wearing of facemasks, frequent hand washing and physical distancing;
* vendors are allowed to set up their stalls the night before the day of selling (Oct.28), and they must clear the area on the day after the last night of selling (Nov. 2);
* vendors are required to maintain the cleanliness of their area and provide their own cleaning materials like brooms and dustpans, including kaing/garbage bags for disposal of waste. They are not allowed to cook anything in the area;
* the SSD-PSTMO must orient the vendors on what should be done; the do’s and don’ts in selling as well as check the requirements needed, inspect the special permit in each stall which shall be displayed/hanged in such a location which could be readily seen by the public, especially by the monitoring personnel;
* flower vendors and their assistants must have been vaccinated against COVID-19; and
* flower vendors must only sell during the duration provided for and should not sell before and after the given dates.
PROHIBITED ITEMS AND ACTIVITIES
The city government also identified items and activities prohibited inside cemeteries both public and private. These are the following:
* any type of vehicle
* alcoholic beverages
* flammable materials
* firearms and sharp objects (knife, cutter, etc.)
* videoke or any sound system that may cause noise
* deck of cards, bingo cards, or any kind of gambling activity
* overnight staying
MINIMUM HEALTH PROTOCOLS
Furthermore, all cemetery visitors are required to follow minimum health protocols such as consistent and proper use of facemasks, frequent hand hygiene, and strict adherence to social distancing.
Treñas tasked the PSTMO, City Health Office, Iloilo City Compliance Officers, city police, barangays, volunteer force multipliers, and others to enforce the order./PN
