Crowds visit major Manila cemeteries ahead of Undas 2023

The management of the Manila North Cemetery expected more than a million individuals to visit their dearly departed family members on November 1.

According to a Saturday 24 Oras Weekend report by Jamie Santos, some families have begun visiting and preparing ahead of the Undas break.

“Para maging comfortable din ang biyahe namin at saka para magkaroon din kami ng mahabang pakikisama sa aming patay,” said Manila North Cemetery visitor Ching Meneses.

(So we can be more comfortable traveling and have more time with our deceased.)

Beginning on Saturday, the management limited the entry of cars into the cemetery and blocked the entry of tricycles following reports of drivers demanding high fees from visitors.

However, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD), and pregnant women were still allowed to bring their cars inside the premises.

“Hindi na po pinapayagan pumasok yung kanilang mga sasakyan sa kadahilanan pong maliliit po yung kalye sa loob ng sementeryo. Basta senior citizen and PWD and pregnant women, ina-allow naman namin ipasok yung kanilang sasakyan,” said cemetery director Yayay delos Reyes.

(We no longer allow cars to enter as the streets inside the cemetery are narrow. If the visitors are senior citizens and PWD and pregnant women, we do allow them to bring their cars inside.)

The Manila City Government would provide free transportation for senior citizens, PWDs, and pregnant women from October 30 to November 2.

Meanwhile, The Manila South Cemetery said that they would only allow the entry of paint and cleaning of tombs until Saturday.

The Manila North Cemetery will only allow entry into the premises from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October 30 to November 2, and will only allow the interment of the dead until Sunday. — Jiselle Casucian/DVM, GMA Integrated News