City approves vendors plea to sell inside cemeteries

CEBU, Philippines — Vendors are allowed to sell their wares inside Cebu City’s cemeteries until October 24 only.

This after the Cebu City government sustained their plea to be allowed to sell candles and flowers inside cemeteries, and not in designated vending zones outside, after they complained of bleak sales due to the fact that they could not approach their customers before.

Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) team head Raquel Arce said they are now allowing vendors to sell inside the cemeteries but only until October 24.

Starting October 25, these vendors will have to go back to their designated areas outside as directed by acting mayor Michael Rama. This, Arce said, is to avoid crowding inside the cemeteries.

Along with this, Arce assured that the structures these vendors have put up inside the cemeteries will not be dismantled.

“Gi-meeting na na sila. On the 25th, adto na na sila sa gawas. Naa silay lugar adto sila maninda, pero ang ilang structures, dili lang hilabtan. Mao na lang nay ni-come up para win-win (solution),” she said.

Under Rama’s directive, vendors can sell merchandise at least 30 meters from the entrance of the cemetery provided that the minimum health standard and protocols will be observed at all times.

As for the informal settlers living inside cemeteries, they will not be extracted from their “homes” nor will their structures be demolished, as long as they do not obstruct passageways, said Arce.

Also, starting October 25, these informal settlers will be strictly monitored. No one will be allowed to loiter in the cemetery premises but settlers will be allowed to return “home” after the visiting hours.

For those with children, they can remain inside but they will be “locked in.”

Arce said PROBE and City Social Welfare Services personnel will round up children seen roaming around.

At the moment, clearing operations in different cemeteries continue until the 24th.

Arce also encouraged those who want to clean up their loved ones’ tombs/niches to do it as soon as possible while it is still being allowed.

She reminded everyone not to bring food and alcoholic beverages and to be mindful of the time of visit imposed, or else, they will have to pay penalty or do community service.

Visit ASAP

The Archdiocese of Cebu and City Council chairman for peace and order, Philip Zafra, are also encouraging they public to visit their departed loved ones in the cemeteries ahead of time to avoid crowding the areas.

“Samtang sayo pa, mas maayo nga karon nalang sila moduaw  kay  dili pa kaayo daghan og  tawo ang mga sementeryo,” said Zafra.

Zafra, however, reminded visitors not to leave their homes unattended for security purposes.

“Palihug lang, ayaw kalimti og lock. Dapat pud naka-off sad ang mga appliances aron malikay sa sunog,” he added.

Msgr. Joseph Tan of the Archdiocese of Cebu also agreed to calls for the public to visit cemeteries this early.

“Why not? Duaw na ta ron mintras wala pay mga tawo kaayo. Dili ta magdungan tanan. Ang importante naa tay practice nga motahod sa mga patay nga mao ang  pagduaw,” Tan said.

“We can do it as early as now. Dili na ta magpaabot nga petsa 30 na sa Oktubre hangtud sa mag-abot na ta tanan. Pwede na na nato buhaton,” he added.

Tan said what is important is the prayer offered to the dearly departed.

“Sumala sa pagtulun-an sa Simbahang Katoliko, ang labing importante nga pasidungog sa atong mga minahal sa kinabuhi nga wala na mao ang pag-ampo... Personal prayer para kanila, nobena or rosaryo or ato silang i-apil sa paghalad sa santos nga misa. Kini mao ang mas makahuluganon sa kaluwasan sa kalag,” he said. — with Decemay P. Padilla and Sanden J. Anadia, JMD (FREEMAN)