Some cemetery visitors get head start

Local officials on Monday disclosed that over 45,000 people have already visited the two major public cemeteries in the city of Manila — the North Cemetery and the South Cemetery — as of Sunday.

MNC director Roselle Castañeda — in a Facebook live video — said they consist of 38,700 visitors at the MNC and 6,850 at the MSC between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Castañeda joined Mayor Honey Lacuna during her inspection at the MNC on Monday morning, shortly after casting her vote in Sampaloc District for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

At the same time, Lacuna called on the public who will be visiting the city-run cemeteries to give way to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and mothers with small children in availing of free e-trike services inside these cemeteries.

"I remind you again that it is forbidden to bring to the cemetery cars; flammable objects, such as lighters and cigarettes; sharp objects, such as knives and guns; alcoholic beverages; gambling devices, such as cards and bingo; and videoke machines or speakers and sound systems that can be disturbing," Lacuna said.

The Manila mayor also urged the public to keep their surroundings clean by throwing their trash in the garbage bins.

The two cemeteries are open to the public from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. until 2 November 2023.