ALL CEMETERIES IN BUTUAN ARE CLOSED STARTING TODAY

BUTUAN CITY – All private and public cemeteries are now closed starting today, October 29, in compliance with the order from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to avoid convergence of visitors.

Most people visit the cemetery to remember their lost loved ones. But due to the threatening COVID-19, IATF decided to padlock all cemeteries to prevent mass gathering

that may lead to the spreading of the virus.

According to Police Captain Emerson Alipit, the acting spokesperson in Butuan City Police Office, the first day of closure in the city is peaceful.

“ Ngayon wala na rin tayong halos nakikitang mga dumadalaw. So, magandang balita yun na masunurin naman yung mga residente natin dito sa Butuan City,” said PCapt. Alipit.

(Now we see that almost no one is visiting. So, this is good news because that means the residents of Butuan City are obeying.)

Police outpost every cemetery starts operating from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, PCapt. Alipit said they may extend their duty hours if needed.

Meanwhile, those who have scheduled burial events are allowed to enter the cemetery.

The closure will last until November 4, Wednesday.

It is first in history that all cemeteries are close during Undas in the Philippines.