Bacolod plans transfer of 450 cemetery remains

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The city government is planning to transfer about 450 human remains from deteriorating tombs at Burgos Public Cemetery to the newly constructed bone vault at Handumanan Public Cemetery in Barangay Handumanan.

Representatives from the General Services Office and the City Administrator’s Office held a dialogue with more than 100 families regarding the proposal at the Bacolod City Government Center lobby on Tuesday.

City Administrator Mark Mayo, in a media interview, said there is a need to transfer the remains from damaged niches along the cemetery’s perimeter wall facing Lopez Jaena Street, as a portion of the wall was damaged by Typhoon “Tino” last year and poses a hazard to the public.

Mayo said the initiative aims to remove safety hazards while paving the way for wider sidewalks, safer pedestrian access, and additional green spaces once the affected area is cleared.

He assured families that the city government will shoulder all expenses related to the transfer.

Mayo said these include exhumation, proper handling and wrapping of the bones, the option for families to witness the process, and the installation of grave markers, stressing that everything will be provided free of charge, including the bone vaults at Handumanan Public Cemetery.

He clarified that families who wish to transfer the remains of their loved ones to private cemeteries may do so at their own expense.

The City Health Office also discussed sanitation protocols and the requirements for exhumation permits.

General Services Office head Gilda Luisma said some of the remains have already become exposed and scattered outside their niches, making the transfer necessary for public safety and to preserve the dignity of the deceased.

Each bone vault can accommodate three to four sets of remains, and the transfer will be conducted in phases, prioritizing damaged niches along critical areas.

The design also addressed concerns regarding name corrections and burial arrangements.

Religious rites will also be observed throughout the process.

The City Engineer’s Office will present the proposed redevelopment plan for the Lopez Jaena side of Burgos Public Cemetery after the transfer is completed.

Meanwhile, Mayo also dismissed misinformation circulating about the project.

“There is no plan to sell Burgos Public Cemetery to Megaworld,” he said.

He added that a city ordinance authorizes the local government to act on dilapidated structures that pose safety risks, particularly those affecting public access.