THE Davao City Economic Enterprise (CEE) cannot fully rehabilitate flood-prone City Government-owned cemeteries such as the Ma-a Public Cemetery and Panacan Public Cemetery due to lack of "proof of ownership."
CEE head Maribeth Lumactod said the two cemeteries are being monitored as they "drastically" need rehabilitation prior to the upcoming All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day on November 1 and 2, respectively.
"Sa Panacan ug Ma-a, we are undergoing submersible pump para mawala gyud ang tubig. Pero bisan the whole day mi ga-pump didtoa, inig abot sa gabii, muulan, mubalik nasab tubig sa sulod sa sementeryo (We are using a submersible pump in Panacan and Ma-a to remove the stored waters that flooded the cemetery. But our efforts are useless since it would flood again when it rains)," Lumactod said Monday, October 28, right after the flag raising ceremony at the City Hall of Davao.
As to the lack of "proof of ownership," she said the City Government is still trying to find means to address the problem.
"We cannot have any rehabilitation sa atong public cemeteries nga need gyud i-rehab because of that issue (We cannot rehabilitate our public cemeteries because of that issue)," she said.
"Ginawork out pa sa City Government as to how to give a solution to that problem of proof of ownership (The City Government is finding solutions to address the problem of the lack of the proof of ownership)," she added.
Previously, she also said the city-owned public markets such as the Bankerohan Market cannot undergo full rehabilitation due to the same problem.
She also said majority of the 10 city-owned cemeteries, including in Ma-a and Panacan, are also being eyed for major rehabilitation as a long-term solution to the flooding problem.
Despite frequent flooding at the cemeteries, Lumactod said they do not see any possible health risk brought by the flooding.
"Dili kayo siya hazardous on that part since nakasemento man atong nitso. And in fact, we have coordination with the City Health Office wherein naghatag sila og assistance sa ato (We don't see any possible health risk since the tombs are cemented. In fact, we have coordinated with the City Health Office wherein they are assisting us in monitoring these cemeteries)," the official said.
Meanwhile, she said the CEE is coordinating with the Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) in addressing the security in all cemeteries in the city to ensure that no untoward incidents will occur during the All Saints' and All Souls' Day.
Lumactod said they will also place two sets of portalets in all CEE-managed cemeteries. They already communicated with the Davao City Water District (DCWD) for the water supply.
She said all cemeteries are already illuminated as the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC), two years ago, put up street lights within the area.
As to the do's and don'ts, she said same policies will be implemented such as banning of bladed objects, alcoholic drinks, playing cards, mahjong or any gambling items and loud speakers/stereo inside the cemeteries.
PSSCC head Angel Sumagaysay said in a previous report that bringing of backpacks will not be banned inside the cemetery, but the bag must undergo thorough inspection from security forces.