PR
BRGY. GUBA, CEBU CITY (8 JULY 2020)— The construction of a 3-hectare burial site for residents who died from COVID-19 is underway in Sitio Catives II in this city.
This developed after the City Council of Cebu and the barangay chairs of Guba, Sirao, Paril and Agsungot approved the proposal for the site’s establishment.
The undertaking is part of the city government’s efforts to safely manage the remains of COVID-19 patients, and ensure the public’s health and safety.
Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairperson of the city council’s Committee on Risk Reduction and Management, assured residents of Barangay Guba and neighboring localities that the cemetery, which will be called the Cebu City Botanical Memorial Garden, shall not pose any health risk to the community, and can even help create livelihood opportunities for residents.
“I saw how they (funeral parlors) handled the dead bodies, and I am willing to stake my name that the process is very thorough to ensure safety,” Tumulak said during the dialogue with the barangay captains.
“The opening of this facility will bring jobs to the community. People can sell goods by the roadside, for example,” he added.
Representatives from the Mayor’s Office, led by Land Management Office Head Atty. Jeneses Ponce and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Visayas conducted a site visit at Sitio Catives II, to assess on-site preparations being made.
Meanwhile, Johnnel Rañeses, representing the IATF-EID Visayas Deputy Chief Implementer, retired MGen. Mel Feliciano, thanked barangay chairpersons Orland Herrera of Guba, Flaviano Gabunada of Sirao, Neresa Doncillo of Paril, and Pedro Damaolao of Agsungot, for their support and cooperation.
“You have shown us that we are one in this fight against COVID-19. This is what true public service looks like,” Rañeses said.
