LIST: Undas 2022 advisories, guidelines for Metro Manila LGUs

MANILA, Philippines – For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal life, millions of Filipinos are expected to flock to cemeteries to visit their dead loved ones on All Saints’ Day, November 1; and All Souls’ Day, November 2. In the Philippines, this tradition is called Undas.

While some Filipinos may head home to their home provinces, the numerous cemeteries in Metro Manila are still expecting a deluge of families visiting their deceased. 

The local government units (LGUs) in the capital region have begun to put out guidelines to help Filipinos partake in the tradition, while still observing health and safety protocols.

Are you visiting a loved one in a cemetery in Metro Manila? Here are some things to know.

This page will be updated as more advisories come in.

Common guidelines

The following are strictly prohibited:

• Firearms, sharp objects or weapons, explosives, and firecrackers
• Illegal drugs
• Portable cooking stoves and LPGs
• Alcoholic beverages
• Videoke or any sound system that may cause loud sounds
• Gambling paraphernalia (e.g. deck of cards)

The wearing of face masks, social distancing, and observance of minimum health protocols are highly encouraged. Those with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, colds) will not be allowed to enter cemetery grounds.

Unvaccinated individuals, senior citizens, and other high-risk persons are encouraged to stay home.

Manila

Cleaning, painting, and renovation of graves are only allowed until October 25.

Interment operations are suspended starting October 28, and will resume on November 3.

The main gates of the Manila North and Manila South cemeteries are open from 5 am to 5 pm, from October 29 to November 2.

The following are prohibited inside the Manila North Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery premises from Saturday, October 29, to Wednesday, November 2:

• Children aged 12 and below
• Unvaccinated individuals
• Any type of vehicle
• Alcoholic beverages
• Flammable materials
• Firearms, any sharp object (knife, cutter, etc.)
• Videoke or any sound system that may cause loud sounds
• Deck of cards, bingo cards, or any kind of gambling

The following roads will be closed from 10 pm, October 31, until 5 pm, November 2:

• Aurora Boulevard (from Dimasalang Rd. to Rizal Avenue)
• Dimasalang Rd. (from Makiling St. to Blumentritt Rd.)
• P. Guevarra (from Cavite St. to Pampanga St.)
• Blumentritt (from A. Bonifacio to P. Guevarra St.)
• Retiro (from Dimasalang Rd. to Blumentritt Ext.)
• Leonor Rivera (from Cacite St. to Aurora Blvd.)

Re-routes and parking areas:

• Re-routes:
  • Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) coming from Rizal Avenue/Blumentritt must take a right to L. Rivera or Isagani, then right to Antipolo, to the point of destination.
  • PUJs coming from Amoranto Street (from Quezon City) must take a right to Calavite, then a right to A. Bonifacio Ave. to point of destination. A loading and unloading zone is located before Amoranto/Calavite.
  • PUJs coming from Dimasalang must take a right to Makiling Street then may take a right to Maceda Street to point of destination. A loading and unloading zone is located after Maceda/Makiling.

• Parking areas are along the stretch of:
  • Craig Street
  • Simon Street
  • F. Huertas Street
  • Bulacan Street
  • Tecson Street
  • P. Guevarra Street
  • Sulu Street
  • Oroquieta Street
  • Metrica Street
  • Natividad Street
  • M. Hizon Street
  • Kalimbas Street

Caloocan

From October 29 to November 2, cemeteries will be open from 6 am to 6 pm only.

The cleaning and renovation of graves will only be allowed until October 25.

Burial and cremation services will be suspended from October 28 to November 2.

The “One Entrance, One Exit” policy will be strictly implemented.

The wearing of face masks, social distancing, and observance of minimum health protocols are highly encouraged. Only fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to enter. Visitors must present their vaccination cards before entry. Individuals with temperatures 37.5 °C and above will not be allowed to enter.

Vehicles will not be allowed inside cemetery grounds.

The following items are strictly prohibited:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Sharp objects (knives, scissors, etc.)
• Loud objects (sound systems, speakers, etc.)
• Gambling paraphernalia

Navotas

Individuals visiting public cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums from October 30 to November 3 must secure a cemetery pass two days before their date of visit. 

To secure a cemetery pass, send a message to TEXT JRT with the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Age
• Cemetery (public, Catholic, Immaculate Garden)
• Date and time of visit

TEXT JRT contact numbers:

• Smart: 0908 8868 578
• Sun: 0922 888 578
• Globe: 0915 2601385

Time slots:

• 7 am to 9 am 
• 9 am to 11 am
• 11 am to 1pm
• 1 pm to 3 pm
• 3 pm to 5 pm 
• 5 pm to 7 pm
• 7 pm to 9 pm
• 9 pm to 11 pm

TEXT JRT will reply with the cemetery pass. The issued cemetery pass can only be used by three people following the schedule listed. Visitors must present this pass and their vaccination card to the cemetery’s caretakers.

The following are prohibited:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Firearms and any sharp objects
• Loud objects
• Gambling paraphernalia
• Observe physical distancing (One to two meters) and wear a face mask at all times. As much as possible, visitors are advised to not bring children or elderly to ensure their safety.

Valenzuela

Public and private cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria will be open from 6 am to 6 pm from October 29 to November 1.

Persons aged 11 and below are not allowed to enter cemetery grounds. Senior citizens, unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated individuals, immunocompromised, and physically incapacitated people are encouraged to stay home.

The following are prohibited:

• Staying overnight
• Gambling
• Karaoke or videoke in barangays with cemeteries
• Firearms, sharp objects, and explosives
• Portable cooking paraphernalia
• Flammable chemicals and toxic substances
• Drones

There will be a liquor ban from October 29 to November 1 in the following barangays:

• Karuhatan
• Maysan
• Lawang Bato
• Palasan
• Veinte Reales
• Arkong Bato

Sari-sari stores, convenience stores, and malls are not allowed to sell liquor in these barangays.

Halloween activities like trick-or-treating are not allowed throughout Valenzuela.

Wearing of face masks is still encouraged in outdoor areas.

Failure to adhere to the city’s Undas 2022 Health and Safety Ordinance will result in the following penalties:

• First offense: P1,000 fine or 24 hours of community service
• Second offense: P3,000 fine or 48 hours of community service
• Third offense: P5,000 fine or 72 hours of community service

Malabon

The following items are prohibited:

• Firearms, sharp objects, weapons, explosives, and firecrackers
• Illegal drugs
• Portable cooking stoves and LPGs
• Alcoholic beverages
• Loud speakers
• Visitors are advised to wear face masks, observe physical distancing, and bring alcohol or hand sanitizer. Visitors are also advised to complete their COVID-19 vaccination.

Visiting hours are as follows:

• Our Lady of Lourdes Eternal Park
  • October 29 to 31 and November 2 – 6 am to 9 pm
  • November 1 – 6 am to 10 pm
• Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Resurrection Garden Ossuary (Maysilo)
  • October 31 and November 2 – 6 am to 6 pm
  • November 1 – 6 am to 10 pm
• Everlasting Peace Memorial Park & Crematorium
  • October 30 to 31 and November 2 – 8 am to 5 pm
  • November 1 – 7 am to 10 pm
• Sto. Rosario Columbary (Dampalit)
  • October 31 and November 2 – 6 am to 9 pm
  • November 1 – 6 am o 11 pm
• Immaculate Conception Parish Old Cemetery & Ossuary
  • October 30 to 31 and November 2 – 6 am to 7 pm
  • November 1 – 6 am to 10 pm
• San Bartolome Parish Cemetery
  • October 31 and November 2 – 8 am to 9 pm
  • November 1 – 6 am to 12 mn
• The Tugatog Public Cemetery is closed. Contact the cemetery management for updates:
  • 0915 681 6933
  • 0968 385 9817

Mandaluyong

The Garden of Life Memorial Park’s operating hours are as follows:

• October 29 to 31 – 6 am to 5 pm
• November 1 – 6 am to 10 pm

Visitors are advised to wear face masks, bring alcohol or hand sanitizer, and are better off fully vaccinated. Visitors must bring their vaccination cards.

Only children aged 5 and above and are fully vaccinated are allowed to enter cemeteries. Seniors aged 65 and above are encouraged to stay home for their safety.

The following are prohibited:

• Vendors
• Gambling
• Loud noise
• Alcoholic beverages
• Weapons, sharp objects, and flammable objects

San Juan

The following will be open from 6 am to 12 mn, from October 29 to November 2:

• San Juan City Cemetery
• St. John The Baptist columbary
• Santuario del Sto. Cristo columbary

Wearing of face masks is voluntary, but will be strictly enforced once the cemetery reaches 50% capacity.

The following are not allowed inside the cemeteries:

• Speakers and other items that create noise
• Firearms, sharp objects
• Illegal drugs
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gambling
• Bikes and motorcycles

Only individuals given a special business permit from the city cemetery gate will be allowed to sell food, refreshments, flowers, and candles.

Pasig

All visitors must wear face masks when visiting cemeteries, memorial parks, or columbaria. A “no face mask, no entry” policy will be followed. Visitors must also frequently sanitize their hands and avoid gathering in large, crowded groups.

The following are prohibited:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Weapons and sharp objects
• Gambling
• Objects that create loud noise

The Barangay Coding Scheme will not be enforced this year. 

The following are discouraged from visiting cemeteries:

• Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals
• Individuals who are sick, senior citizens, or young children (infants or toddlers)
• Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms

Taguig

From October 29 to November 2, the following public cemeteries will be open from 6 am to 10 pm:

• Bagumbayan Catholic Cemetery
• Imam Moh Kusin Memorial Park
• Tipas Roman Catholic Cemetery
• Hagonoy Catholic Cemetery
• Taguig Public Cemetery
• Tuktukan Cemetery
• Aglipay Cemetery

Here are the operating hours of Heritage Park Fort Bonifacio:

• October 29 to 30 – 8 am to 5 pm
• October 31 – 8 am to 8 pm
• November 1 – 5 am to 8 pm
• November 2 – 8 am to 5 pm

The Garden of Memories Memorial Park and Chapels will be open on the following schedules:

• October 29 to 30 – 6 am to 8 pm
• October 31 – 6 am to 12 mn
• November 1 – 6 am to 6 am
• November 2 – 6 am to 10 pm
• Columbarium: October 29 to November 2 – 6 am to 8 pm

The Libingan ng mga Bayani will be open October 31 to November 2, from 6 am to 6 pm.

Visitors must keep their face masks on while in the cemeteries.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own water bottles, as water refilling stations will be provided in cemeteries.

They are also advised to be wary of persons pretending to be religious figures soliciting money.

The following are prohibited:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Smoking or vaping
• Firearms and sharp objects
• Loud noises
• Gambling
• Toxic and flammable substances

Pasay

Visitation is allowed in public cemeteries from 6 am to 5 pm.

Cleaning, painting, and fixing graves will only be allowed until October 28. Burial and cremation will only be allowed until October 30.

From October 30 to November 2,  vehicles will not be allowed inside cemetery premises.

Offices are open for amilyar (real property tax) payments on November 1 and 2.

Those with fever, cough, colds, and/or are unvaccinated are not allowed to enter cemetery grounds.

The following are prohibited:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Sharp objects
• Loud speakers
• Gambling paraphernalia are

Visitors are advised to follow IATF protocols and EMI Habit (Ensure to always wash your hands; Mask is a must; Implement physical distancing).

Parañaque

Public cemetery hours:

• October 29 to 30 – 6 am to 5 pm
• October 31 to November 1 – 24 hours open

Cremation and burial services will be temporarily suspended from October 31 to November 1. The “One Entrance, One Exit” policy will be strictly implemented.

The following are prohibited:

• Alcoholic beverages; intoxicated persons
• Littering
• Flammable goods, cooking paraphernalia, and lighters. Matches are allowed.
• Illegal drugs
• Loud objects (sound systems, speakers, musical instruments, etc.)
• Sharp objects (knives, scissors, etc.)
• Gambling paraphernalia
• Vehicles

Those with fever (temperature greater than 38°C), cough, or colds will not be allowed to enter.

Las Piñas

Visitation hours for both public and private memorial facilities will be from 8 am to 10 pm from October 31 to November 2.

Private memorial facilities may opt for shorter visitation hours.

Visitors must wear face masks and observe physical distancing inside cemetery or memorial park premises.

Muntinlupa

All city cemeteries and memorial parks will be open from October 31 to November 1, from 6 am to 6 pm. 

No burials or cremations will be allowed during this time, except for “special cases.”

Visitations to tombs will be limited to three hours. Visitors must observe minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and handwashing.

The Muntinlupa LGU discourages children below 12 years old and seniors above 60 from visiting gravesites and cemeteries for their safety.

The following are prohibited:

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Firearms, sharp objects, flammable materials
• Videoke or sound system
• Selling merchandise
• Overnight stays at the cemetery or memorial park

Muntinlupa emergency numbers:

• 137 175
• 8373 51 65
• 0921 542 7123
• 0927 257 9322

– Michelle Abad and Yana Uy/Rappler.com