San Juan cemetery extends hours ahead of Undas

The San Juan City Cemetery will implement extended hours ahead of the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, with other cemeteries and local governments making preparations for the season.

In a "24 Oras" report from Dano Tingcungco on Thursday, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora made his rounds at the cemetery. By Monday, cemetery hours will be 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

“So, extended hours siya from October 26 to November 2 because we expect na ito yung panahon na dadagsa talaga ang ating mga mamamayan upang dumalaw sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay na nakahimlay dito sa San Juan Cemetery,” Zamora said.

(So, it will be extended hours from October 26 to November 2 because we expect that this is the time that people will really come to visit their loved ones buried in the San Juan Cemetery.)

Zamora said most of the people still visit on the actual days themselves, based on the city’s history. However, there are still many who go on other days to avoid the large crowds.

Around 35,000 to 40,000 people visit just on November 1 alone, said Zamora. However, around 60,000 to 70,000 people visit in total from October 26 to November 2.

Based on the meeting of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) with other Metro Manila mayors, security personnel will be roaming the cemeteries, including the San Juan Cemetery.

To ensure that the observance of the feast days will remain orderly, the cemetery has already set guidelines banning guns, sharp objects, drinking, drugs, smoking, gambling, loud noises, and more.

Meanwhile, in the Manila North Cemetery, there were already signs and reminders being posted around the area. There are also moveable fences to direct the foot traffic. Manila police were also inspecting the cemetery to ensure security.

Because of the large number of people visiting the cemetery, authorities are deploying 141,000 personnel to maintain security, with 72,000 of them being police officers, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co.

The PNP are on full alert from October 30 to November 2. — Jean Mangaluz/BAP, GMA News