Here are the guidelines and reminders at the Manila North and South Cemeteries for UNDAS 2023
MANILA NORTH CEMETERY AND MANILA SOUTH CEMETERY – The two major cemeteries in Metro Manila issued reminders due to the expected influx of people this coming November 1 and 2.
Aside from Christmas, All Saints’ Day is one of the most crowded occasions in the Philippines. It’s a time for families to gather and remember their departed loved ones.
To ensure everyone’s safety during their visits to the two major cemeteries in Metro Manila, the Manila Public Information Office released reminders on Thursday, October 12, 2023. In preparation for Undas (All Saints’ Day) and to provide everyone with ample time to celebrate with their families, November 1 was declared a non-working holiday, while November 2 was declared a special working holiday. Unfortunately, October 31 is not a holiday.
Here are the prohibitions on the actual “Araw ng mga Patay”:
- Any vehicle
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gambling
- Flammable items
- Guns or any sharp objects like knives
- Videoke or anything similar that produces loud noise
In conjunction with these, there are additional reminders:
- Cleaning and painting of graves will only be allowed until October 25.
- Burials will be permitted until October 28 and after Undas on November 3.
- The main gates of both cemeteries will be open to the public from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM, starting from October 30 to November 2.
- Vehicles will only be allowed to enter the Manila North Cemetery compound until October 25, while in the Manila South Cemetery, until October 28.
- Regular office hours will resume on November 3.
The influx of people to the Manila North and South cemeteries, as well as other parts of the country, is expected because this is the first celebration of Undas after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions imposed during the pandemic’s peak. It was only in July 2023 did President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. lifted the declaration of a state of public health emergency.