VISITORS to the city government-run public cemetery in Bolonsiri, Camaman-an in Cagayan de Oro City will have to skip the "palina" starting this year as the city government has prohibited the practice during the observance of All Souls' and All Saints' Days.
Palina is the practice of burning leaves or grasses and purifying oneself with the smoke after visiting the cemetery. This is said the drive away bad luck and evil spirits.
Sol Mosqueda, focal person of the City Memorial Park Development, said palina is classified as open burning of waste materials and leaves, a prohibited practice under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance.
Violators will face a penalty of P2,000.
Personnel from the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) will be deployed from Thursday evening, October 31 until November 2.
"Ang pag-lapog bawal na gyud na kay sa kadaghan pud tawo, maka-cause pud siya ug suffocation," she said.
Mosqueda also reminded the public that the Undas observance is not a party, but a time to pray for departed family members, thus loud music is prohibited inside the cemetery.
She said Clenro will put up a sound system where a common prayer will be broadcast.
Bringing of flower pots is also discouraged since these can be potential breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
"Hangyo namo nga kuhaon gyud ang sudlanan sa bulak, ang bulak lang ang dapat mabilin sa nicho," she said.
The public cemetery will also strictly prohibit plastic cellophanes and bottled water to maintain cleanliness. Also prohibited are sharp objects, alcoholic beverages, cigarette smoking and gambling inside the cemetery.