BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia directed City Administrator John Orola to look into the status of the Burgos or North Public Cemetery.
Leonardia said Orola will determine if there is a need to improve, rehabilitate, or to close the cemetery.
He said he has not yet received the inspection report of City Health Office (CHO).
On November 2, CHO inspected the cemetery after some tombs were reported missing.
Its report showed that the Burgos Public Cemetery is already overpopulated where tombs and niches are in a topsy-turvy arrangement obstructing passageways.
Also some niches are open and tombstones are replaced with another name without prior notice and permission. A total of 28 contractors were identified by the caretaker.
Uncollected and unsegregated garbage were also piled and scattered along pathways and sides of niches. Six households still live inside the cemetery, which has no public toilet.
Vendors are also selling cigarettes in the area.
CHO recommended to the City Council the prohibition to inter bodies at the Burgos Public Cemetery as soon as possible until complete rehabilitation has been done.
“I do not know if there is still space at Burgos Public Cemetery,” Leonardia said.
The mayor added that he is also planning to improve the Barangay Handumanan Public Cemetery to reduce the number of burials at Burgos Public Cemetery.
Leonardia appealed to Bacoleños who are willing to donate a lot for a public cemetery.
“We are open and willing to accept a lot donation for a new public cemetery in Bacolod,” the mayor said.
General Services Office Jerome Solinap had earlier said the Burgos Public Cemetery is already crowded and it is the time to close the area.