Lim: There’s still space in Manila cemeteries

MANILA, Philippines - There are enough plots in Manila’s three cemeteries, contrary to rumors, Mayor Alfredo Lim said Tuesday.

He said the popularity of cremation has generated talk that Manila’s cemeteries are filled up.

 “It is not true. There are several areas in the cemeteries for all those who want their love ones to be buried. But cremation is a choice of the families, and not because of an alleged lack of cemeteries,” Lim told The Star. “Many are opting to have their loved ones cremated.”

He said the city government has free burial and free cremation for poor Manila residents, part of their “womb to tomb” program.

Lim said there are low-cost plots that can be leased by the deceased’s family for five years and the lease is renewable. He noted that some leased cemetery plots have been abandoned for about five to 10 years – these are the ones being leased for free to poor residents.

In Manila North Cemetery’s 54 hectares, almost a million bodies are buried, Lim said. However, some families have opted to transfer the remains to churches or cremate them and bring them home to the provinces.

“Some of the well-off families, as time goes by, they transfer the remains to private cemeteries,” Lim said.

The North Cemetery, one of the oldest and largest in Metro Manila, is located near two other important cemeteries – the La Loma Cemetery and the Manila Chinese Cemetery.

Lim said the city police has deployed around 700 police officers to secure the three cemeteries from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4.