Despite the unpredictable weather, around 5,200 visitors chose to pay tribute to their departed loved ones at the Manila North Cemetery ahead of Undas, or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The Sta. Cruz Police Station tallied this figure as of noon Thursday.
Among the early visitors were 60-year-old Rosario de Guzman and her husband, who paid respects at the graves of 10 family members. She said that she prefers going to the cemetery ahead of Undas.
‘It’s still not crowded right now, and we’re senior citizens,’ De Guzman told the Inquirer, speaking in Filipino.
She also said that locating the tombstones of her family members became easier because of the cemetery’s ‘Puntod (gravestone) Finder Assistance.’
The ‘Puntod Finder Assistance’ simplified the task of locating the gravestones of their loved ones. The service is also accessible online through manilanorthcemetery.ph.
Another visitor, 49-year-old Geraldine Amores, brought her two children to visit their three family members. Amores noted that the free e-trike rides helped her and her children to get inside the 54-hectare cemetery.
‘We came all the way from Laguna and traveled early this morning. We’re also heading back today,’ she said in a separate interview with Inquirer.
With the cemetery expecting around two million visitors during the Undas season this year, Manila North Cemetery Director Tan implemented security measures for the expected visitors.
‘For security, we have CCTVs [closed-circuit television]. We have our MTPB [Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau], our PNP [Philippine National Police], those from civilian manning security, MDRRMO [Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Office] and our LGU [local government unit] in Manila, lending a hand to help us,’ Tan said in a mix of Filipino and English in a separate interview with reporters.
He also shared that many CCTVs are installed inside the cemetery, along with drones, to ensure that the cemetery officials keep track of what’s happening inside.
Free services
Manila North Cemetery is offering free e-trike rides from October 29 to October 31. Tan also shared that wheelchairs will be available for those who will need them, particularly the senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The cemetery also established a wristband tagging station for children to register with wristbands, ensuring easier identification if they get lost.
Tan urged visitors to practice cleanliness inside the cemetery by bringing their own garbage bags. He warned that the police would apprehend individuals who attempt to steal or cause chaos.
Regular services inside the cemetery, such as inurnment, will resume on November 3. The cemetery will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. until November 2.
Tan also warned that the following items will be confiscated upon entrance:
Guns, sharp objects like knives, cutter, spatulas, others
Alcoholic beverages
Pets
Guitars, sound systems
Inflammable objects like alcohol, thinners