Manila North Cemetery ‘refreshed’

The new management of the Manila North Cemetery is conducting a major cleanup and implementing new rules for the thousands of caretakers who live there.

Cemetery director Daniel Tan said the number of residents has more than doubled in recent years, from just over 1,000 to more than 3,000. He added that the monthly electricity bill has increased from around P100,000 to P700,000.

Tan has ordered background checks on all residents to address the perception that the cemetery is a haven for “lawless elements.” Caretakers will be issued identification cards and must secure police clearance.