City urges early cemetery maintenance to alleviate congestion and traffic

BAGUIO CITY – The city government encourages the public to clean the tombs of their dearly departed in private and public cemeteries to prevent congestion and traffic.

This was agreed by members of the Oplan Kaluluwa 2023 during a meeting held earlier on Friday in preparation for the observance of All Souls Day and All Saints Day.

Arthur Killip of the City Environment and Parks Management Office in charge of the Baguio City Public Cemetery located along Naguilian Road said numerous tombs have been cleaned already by their relatives.

“We suggest early clean-up of tombs so that we will be able to manage the hauling and disposal of cut grass and other vegetation,” Killip encouraged.

Baguio City Police Office Chief of Operations Lt. Col. Domingo Gambican supported the suggestion for early clean-up to ensure safety and security will be manageable during the visitation days.

The committee agreed that clean-up will only be until October 30 and visitation will be from October 31 onwards where firearms, flammable materials, pointed objects, gambling paraphernalia, liquor and sound system or loud speakers as well as selling will be prohibited inside the public cemetery.

From October 31 to November 2, vehicles will not be allowed to enter the public cemetery and parking along Naguilian Road near the vicinity of the public cemetery will also be prohibited.

Assistant City Treasurer Fernando Ragma Jr. said wholesale of flowers and candles (‘bagsakan area’) relative to the observance of undas will be allowed from at the Old Library Site parking area and Jose Abad Santos Drive parking area from October 27 to 31, 2023 at 7PM to 12 midnight subject to traffic rules particularly the Truck Ban.

Wholesale of flowers along Magsaysay Avenue in front of the Rice Section and other allowed market bagsakan areas from 7PM to 10PM in accordance with market bagsakan rules.

As to vending of flowers and candles, Ragma said applicants shall secure forms at the Campaign and Investigation Division of the Treasury Office from October 18 – 20, 2023.

To qualify, applicant vendors shall be a bona fide resident of Baguio City, of legal age and had no violations regarding Oplan Kaluluwa for the previous years.

Requirements include two copies of 2×2 photo picture, barangay business clearance, residence certificate or Baguio Cedula, Official receipt of residential garbage payment for 2023; and, photocopy of any valid identification card.

Selection of flower and candle vendors will be on a first come, first served basis with a total of P1,393 fees for the selling duration from October 26 to November 1, 2023.

Additional guidelines and vending sites are yet to be announced pending legislative approval.