CALOOCAN Bishop Pablo Virgilio David has called on local government officials to allow families of individuals who died due to Covid-19 to visit their graves during Undas.
“May I appeal for sheer compassion that you allow at least the families of those who died during this Covid-19 pandemic between 2020 to 2021 [t]his coming Nov. 1 to 2? They have not even been given the chance to grieve yet as families,” David wrote in a Facebook post.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases ordered all cemeteries and columbaries across the country closed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 to curb the potential spread of Covid-19.
David suggested that city and town mayors issue special permits to allow the bereaved to enter cemeteries on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
“We can ask them to present a death certificate and give them a special Covid-19 pass to the cemeteries and columbaries where the remains of their loved ones are lying in state,” David said.
The public would only be allowed to visit cemeteries before or after the dates mentioned and should be limited to 10 people per group, according to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.
Traditionally, millions of Filipinos visit the dead by offering prayers, candles and flowers from the end of October to early November.
Last year, the government also barred Filipinos from visiting cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaries.
For now, the faithful can request prayers for their departed loved ones through the “Undas Online” website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Christine Joyce A. Paras and Ma. Alena O. Castillo
