STILL ALIVE. With her dog as guide, this old woman makes her way through tombs of the dead. Photo by LeAnne Jazul

MANILA, Philippines - The country's richest city and financial district doesn't have a public cemetery to bury its dead.

The city government of Makati, through resolution 2008-003, ordered the temporary closure of its public cemetery located at the corner of Kalayaan Avenue and N. Garcia.

CONTRAST. Tombs have remained untouched in the closed public cemetery. Photo by LeAnne Jazul

The city government plans to develop the place and build a four-story columbarium.

According to the 2008 city resolution, the redevelopment should take 5 years. But four years have passed and no signs of development are visible.

The former cemetery is fast decaying – moss has grown on open tombs and skeletons now litter the place. Families of the cemetery occupants had already been given notices to claim remains of their departed but the notices have fallen on deaf ears.

TRASH. Litter is burned to keep a semblance of cleanliness. Photo by LeAnne Jazul

PLAYGROUND. It's both home and playground for these kids. Photo by LeAnne Jazul

Interment services ceased in 2008 and city residents have had to bury their loved ones in the nearby city of Pateros or the adjacent Manila South Cemetery. – Rappler.com