Bacolod City Enacts Comprehensive Cemetery Conduct Ordinance with Alcohol Restrictions
The Bacolod City Council has officially approved on third and final reading a landmark ordinance that strictly regulates the drinking and bringing of alcoholic beverages in both public and private cemeteries throughout the city. This legislative measure, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, who chairs the City Council Committee on Human Resource and Development, aims to foster a more respectful and secure environment for families visiting their departed loved ones.
Key Provisions and Year-Round Prohibitions
The ordinance establishes clear and enforceable rules that make it unlawful to consume alcoholic beverages in any public area within a cemetery or to possess an open container of alcohol in such spaces. These prohibitions are in effect throughout the entire year, ensuring consistent standards of conduct. Councilor Distrito emphasized that the primary objective is to create a peaceful, safe, orderly, and respectful atmosphere for remembrance.
By setting these guidelines, the city aims to prevent confusion and mitigate potential incidents before they occur, thereby protecting visitors and maintaining the solemnity of cemetery grounds.
Special Tigkalalag/Undas/Piyesta Minatay Liquor Ban
A significant component of the ordinance is the imposition of a special "Tigkalalag/Undas/Piyesta Minatay" liquor ban, which will be enforced annually from October 31 to November 3. This period, marked by high crowd density and increased safety risks, is traditionally a time for solemn remembrance. Distrito noted that without regulation, drinking during Undas could lead to accidents, disturbances, and other safety issues.
The ordinance is preventive in nature, designed to safeguard the public and preserve the dignity of spaces intended for prayer and reflection, he explained.
Enforcement Mechanisms and Public Awareness
To bolster enforcement, the measure authorizes the establishment of checkpoints at cemetery entry points. These checkpoints will facilitate limited inspections of bags and parcels for alcoholic beverages, documentation of prohibited items, and support for crowd control and traffic management efforts.
Additionally, the ordinance mandates the Public Information Office to conduct a citywide information campaign at least two weeks before the Tigkalalag/Undas/Piyesta Minatay period each year. This campaign will utilize broadcast media, online platforms, and physical postings at cemetery entrances and barangay halls to ensure broad public awareness.
Penalties and Exemptions
Violators of the ordinance may face a range of penalties, including:
- Fines and community service for first offenses
- Higher fines and possible imprisonment for repeated violations
Administrative sanctions will also be applied to licensed establishments within memorial parks found tolerating violations, with consequences ranging from written warnings to suspension or revocation of permits.
The ordinance does provide limited exemptions for bona fide religious rites and duly regulated establishments operating inside memorial parks, ensuring that legitimate activities are not unduly restricted.
Next Steps and Implementation
Councilor Distrito disclosed that the approved ordinance will now be submitted to Mayor Greg Gasataya for his signature. Once signed, it shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Bacolod City, after which it will take effect in accordance with the law. This step marks a proactive move by the local government to enhance public safety and order during cemetery visits, particularly during the culturally significant Undas period.
