TO effectively avoid a possible surge in COVID-19 cases due to expected traditional crowding in cemeteries, columbarium, and memorial parks for the commemoration of Undas this year, the provincial government is directing all towns and cities to order the closure of these areas from October 29 to November 2.

At the virtual Kapihan of the Philippine Information Agency Region 1, Governor Amado Espino III said the local governments should also look into scheduling of visitations to these areas by barangays ahead or after the closed days.

He said the observance of All Soul’s and All Saint’s Day in the country is one of the traditional crowd-drawing activities that will seriously risk widespread infections because of it will be literally impossible to strictly enforce the minimum health and distancing protocols.

Espino said Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force and Pangasinan Police Provincial director Col. Ronald Gayo reached a consensus on the need to close all cemeteries, memorial parks and columbarium in the province.

“Susulat kami sa mga mayors para sa pagsasara ng mga sementeryo at para i-encourage din nila ang kanilang mga kababayan na pumunta na ng maaga sa mga sementeryo,” the provincial executive said.

Prior to Espino’s announcement, there were already some LGUs in the province that issued executive orders for the temporary closure of cemeteries. Among these LGUs were Binmaley, San Jacinto and Dagupan City.

The governor cited the recent increase in number of infections in the province after a decline in previous weeks indicates that the management of the pandemic continues to fluctuate.

“Hindi pwede tayo magpaka-kampante kasi hindi pa stable ang cases natin. Maya’t-maya tumataas at bumababa,” he said. (Jerick Pasiliao)

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