The city government encourages the public to start cleaning the tombs of their departed loved ones in the various private and public cemeteries to avoid congestion and vehicular traffic.
This was agreed by members of the Oplan Kaluluwa 2023 in a meeting held last Oct. 6 in preparation for the observance of All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day.
Arthur Killip of the City Environment and Parks Management Office in charge of the Baguio City Public Cemetery 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 said.
Baguio City Police Office Chief of Operations Lt/Col. Domingo Gambican supported the suggestion for early clean-up to ensure that security will be manageable on Nov. 1 and 2.
The committee agreed that clean-up will only be until Oct. 30 and visits will be from Oct. 31 onwards where firearms, flammable materials, pointed objects, gambling paraphernalia, liquor and loud speakers, and selling will be prohibited inside the public cemetery.
From Oct. 31 to Nov. 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 will be allowed at the Old Library Site parking area and Jose Abad Santos Drive parking area from Oct. 27 to 31, from 7 p.m. to midnight subject to truck ban.
Wholesale of flowers along Magsaysay Avenue in front of the rice section and other bagsakan areas will be from 7 to 10 p.m.
As to vending of flowers and candles, Ragma said applicants may secure forms at the Campaign and Investigation Division of the Treasury Office from Oct. 18 to 20 only.
To qualify, applicants should be a bona fide resident of Baguio, of legal age and had no violations regarding Oplan Kaluluwa for the previous years. Requirements include two copies 2×2 photo picture, barangay business clearance, residence certificate, 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 from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1 only.
Additional guidelines and vending sites have yet to be announced pending city council approval. – Jessa Mardy P. Samidan
