Despite flooding in parts of Dagupan City’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, many visitors still arrived on Friday, November 1, 2024, to pay respects to their loved ones.
Some graves remained submerged, but this did not deter families from visiting.
"Masyadong malalim na doon sa amin, tapos sobrang maputik at mabaho na yung putik," Sarah Jean Garcia, a visitor, said.
"Okay lang naman, basta madalaw ko sila... okay lang kahit ganito yung sitwasyon, at least nakadalaw," Venus Reyes, another visitor, added.
Alexis Velasquez, another visitor, said floods are frequent in the area, “Talagang bahain talaga dito sa sementeryo... high tide lang, ulan lang, baha na dito.
To help visitors, vendors rented out boots for navigating the muddy, flood-prone areas.
"Baha kasi baka maputik, baka madulas pa sila. Baka matusok ng mga bubog kaya nagpaparenta kami pansamantala," Sherwin Doot, who was renting out boots, said.
Authorities in the cemetery have enforced strict rules, including bans on alcohol, bladed tools, and loud sound systems.
"Mahigpit nating pinagbabawal sa loob yung mga alak, bladed weapon na rason nila na panglinis sa puntod, [at] 'yung maiingay na sound system," PLT Jesus Gerard Manaois from the Dagupan City Police said.
Over 5,000 people were expected to visit the cemetery on November 1, with security continuing until Saturday, November 2.