All cemeteries in PH closed during the ‘Undas’
TACLOBAN CITY-The mayor of Borongan City, Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, is appealing to the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) to allow his constituents to visit the cemeteries during the All Saints and Souls Days.
Agda, however, in his request, emphasized that only fully vaccinated persons should be allowed to enter the cemeteries.
The government through the IATF and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has barred entry to the cemeteries, memorial parks and even columbaria beginning Friday (Oct.29) until Nov.2 as part of measures against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“(I am appealing to the RIATF) to allow my constituents who are fully vaccinated to enter the cemeteries as a respite for the long limited movement of our people and to be able to pay respect to our deceased loved ones,” the city mayor said.
Agda said that he hopes that the RIATF will heed on his appeal. Otherwise he will follow the order of the DILG and IATF on this matter.
The city mayor said that more than 33,000 of his residents are considered to be fully vaccinated having received their second dose.
Agda also said that they will be needing around 7,000 people for them to achieve herd immunity.
Borongan has only eight active COVID-19 cases out of its 955 total cases.
The RIATF, as of press time, has yet to issue any response to the request of the Borongan city mayor.
Meanwhile, in Ormoc City, Leyte, the wearing of face shields inside business establishments like shopping malls and banks have been lifted by its city government effective Oct.26.
The move, a first in Eastern Visayas and perhaps in the country, was part of the measures of the city under Mayor Richard Gomez easing some protocols as its COVID-19 cases is declining for the past weeks now.
Still the wearing of face masks and observance of social distancing remain mandatory in the city.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
