Cemeteries in Pasay City and Parañaque are undergoing cleanup and preparations ahead of Undas 2026, as families rush to tidy the graves of their departed loved ones before the respective deadlines.
In a report by Marisol Abdurahman on 24 Oras on Tuesday, the Pasay City government set October 31 as the deadline for cemetery cleanup.
At the Pasay City Public Cemetery, Ritchi Iridio was among those cleaning his parents’ grave, saying he prefers doing the task himself.
“Di namin pinapalinis sa iba. Mas maayos pag kami naglinis,” Iridio said.
He shared that cleaning the grave has become his responsibility and a tradition since his mother passed away.
“Nag-start na akong [maglinis] kasi October 27 naman na, ilang araw na lang din naman November 1 na,” Iridio also said.
Municipal and barangay personnel were also busy clearing the cemetery grounds as the cleanup deadline approached.
Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto said preparations had been finalized during meetings to address possible concerns during the All Saints’ Day break.
“Lahat ng concern po rito, lalo na ang mga namumuno sa cemetery, lahat po ito pinag-meetingan. Sana tulong-tulong tayo para po maidaos natin ang Undas nang matiwasay,” Calixto said.
Traffic management plans were also being finalized, with around 12,000 visitors expected to visit the cemetery to pay their respects to their departed relatives.
The Pasay City government reminded visitors to keep the cemetery clean and peaceful, follow cemetery rules, and avoid prohibited activities such as drinking alcohol, gambling, making excessive noise, and smoking.
Meanwhile, some informal settlers who offer grave-cleaning services were seen waiting for clients, but said business was slower than in previous years.
“Matumal. Walang nagpapalinis… wala yatang mga budget,” Imelda Rafalle, one of the cleaners, said.
Another cleaner, Joy Medina, said she had yet to receive clients and was relying on the graves she regularly maintained.
“Wala pa po eh. Sa ngayon wala pa po… Sa akin kasi ‘yung inaasahan ko ‘yung mga inaalagaan ko na puntod,” Medina said.
Calixto said the local government had measures in place for informal settlers living inside the cemetery compound, with social workers coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in their respective provinces.
“Pine-prepare po ‘yan at vini-visit ng ating mga social worker. Inaalam kung saan ang origin nila tapos po talagang nakikipag-contact din kami sa DSWD ng probinsya nila,” Calixto also said.
In Parañaque, flower and candle vendors had already set up stalls outside the public cemetery, although the number of early visitors remained low.
Arnel Ornido said he chose to visit ahead of the expected crowds on November 1 to remember his father.
“Bilang alaala sa papa ko, siyempre ‘pag [November] 1 na kasi masyadong marami nang tao dito,” Ornido said.
Barangay personnel were also cleaning the cemetery grounds. According to caretaker Josephine Martirez, grave cleaning and the entry of paint were allowed only until October 28, with police personnel scheduled to be deployed starting October 29.
“Ang paglilinis natin hanggang tomorrow na lang po talaga, pati magpasok ng mga pintura… [October] 29 may naka-post na po tayo ditong mga pulis,” Martirez said.
The Parañaque local government also prohibited gatherings of young people inside the cemetery during Undas, particularly those who are not visiting deceased relatives.
Burials at the cemetery are temporarily suspended from October 27 to November 3.