Massive mangrove planting in Bulacan coast mulled

HAGONOY, Bulacan—Hammered by devastating storm surges, the coastal area of this fishing town will soon get its need protection.

This came as the Provincial Government of Bulacan gear up for massive mangrove planting before the end of the year.

The said mangrove planting will follow the planned tree planting activities on the eastern part of the province.

Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado said plans have been laid for the massive tree and mangrove planting activities in the province.

He said that tree planting is set to be implemented this rainy season.

Target areas for tree planting includes watershed and river banks, especially the more than 50 kilometer stretch of the Angat River that drains to the Manila Bay.

He said that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources have already pledge more than 30,000 seedlings to be planted in the province as part of the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP).

Additional seedling will be supplied by the provincial government and non-governmental organizations.

Alvarado noted that aside from different species of bamboos that will be planted along river banks, they will also plant fruit bearing trees.

For the coastal areas of Bulacan, they will also conduct massive mangrove planting to serve as barrier of coastal communities from devastating effects of storm surges.

As former mayor of this town, the governor specifically mentioned its coastal area which has been reclaimed by the sea in the last five years.

“Malaki na ang nasisirang mga palaisdaan sa Hagonoy dahil sa storm surge,” he said noting that it is one of the impacts of climate change.

Earlier, Mayor Raulito Manlapaz of this town vowed to rehabilitate over 1,000 hectares of fishpond on the coast of this town which were washed out.

Manlapaz’s move came after residents of the coastal villages of Pugad and Tibaguin here reiterated their call after the onslaught of typhoon Glenda.

The residents noted that about 60 houses in the two villages were totally damaged by storm surge spawned by typhoon Glenda.

They also stressed that six year ago, storm surges are unknown to them because at that time, dikes of the more that 200 hectares municipal fishpond fronting the Manila are still intact.

However, the said fishpond was abandoned by its operator and its dikes were washed out by waves in the years that followed.

Today, the coastal villages of Pugad and Tibaguin are usually bear the brunt of storm surges when there is typhoon.  Dino Balabo

ANGAT DAM: Inconvenient truths

Angat Dam as seen from Hilltop observation deck.   DB 

You probably heard it before and question s nagged your mind. Below is an attempt to explain situations that surround the long awaited proposed Angat Dam rehabilitation.  Please click the link below and have fun reading...



PromdiNEWS: ANGAT DAM: Inconvenient truths:

Text messages and rumors has been spreading in Bulacan about a massive flood ...

Bulacan board vowed to pass dam safety ordinance

MALOLOS CITY— The Sangguniang Panglalawigan of Bulacan vowed to pass a land mark ordinance on dam safety in an attempt to protect millions of residents and hold dam operators accountable.

This came as similar law linger in Congress since November 2011 and still to be acted upon by lawmakers who are beleaguered by the pork barrel scam.

Vice-Governor Daniel Fernando said that until a law is ratified, Bulakenyos are not protected by misoperation of dams and no one will be held accountable.

“We will pass an ordinance on dam safety that will help identify specific guidelines in dam operations, and accountable persons in case of misoperation,” he said in vernacular during a regular session of the Sangguniang Panglalawigan of Bulacan.

Fernando said that once ratified the ordinance will serve as basis on holding dam operators responsible.

The same was echoed by Board Member Felix Ople, the chair of the Environment Committee of the Sangguniang Panglalawigan.

He said that in 2011, the provincial government led by Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado warn to file a class suit against officials of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) which manages the Angat Dam.

This is due to severe flooding that Bulacan suffered after typhoons Pedring and Quiel barreled through the province in September and October that year.

However, warning of Alvarado did come through.

Ople said that in the future, the planned dam safety ordinance with provincial government an artillery in running after accountable persons.

Some members of the Sangguniang Panglalawigan expressed concerned if a provincial ordinance will be taken seriously by national agencies operating dams in the province.

They cited concerns on jurisdiction, but Board Member Ernesto Sulit, they have to try.

Other said that in the absence of a national law governing dam operations, a provincial ordinance will be enough.

Earlier, Engineer Roderick Dela Cruz, a dam safety expert based in the United States stressed in his presentation before the Sangguniang Panglalawiga the importance of dam safety legislation.

He said that while there is House Bill filed in Congress on dam safety, a parallel ordinance can be enacted because it takes a while before Congress ratify a law.

Dela Cruz expressed concern on the imminence of another calamity in the province noting that local dams like the Angat, Ipo and Bustos are under designed.

As lead dam safety engineer of the Southern California Edison who manages 82 dams, Dela Cruz said dams are considered as dangerous installations.

He said in constructing dams, it must be designed to withstand a 1,000 to 10,000 years storm.

“Apparently, Angat Dam and other dams in Bulacan are not designed for a 1,000 year storm,” he said.

Dela Cruz cited repeated release of water from Angat Dams even when there is not storm.

He said, “monsoon rain pa lang, wala pang bagyo nagpapatapon na ng tubig.”

Dela Cruz also scored the absence of funds prepared by dam operators in the country  for regular maintenance, monitoring and management of dam structures.

He said that in the United States, state and federal governments have required dam operators to finance similar activities.  Dino Balabo

Bulacan Gov bats for climate proofing public schools

By Dino Balabo

MALOLOS CITY—Worried about floods, Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado bats for climate proofing of schools in the province to serve as functional evacuation centers during floods.

He also asked the sangguniang panlalawigan to ratify an ordinance for the creation of permanent evacuation centers in flood-prone towns and cities in the province.

Alvarado’s call came after the province suffered floods after the onslaught of typhoons Pedring and Quiel in 2011 and the southwest monsoon rains last year.

“This is very timely, we found out that our functional evacuation centers were also submerged in recent floods,” the governor said in an interview after delivering his first state of the province address in three years.

He said that public schools along with churches served as functional evacuation centers during the flood, but many were submerged and were not utilized.

The governor said that while the Department of Education (DepEd) is completing their counterpart in constructing half of the more than 1,800 classrooms in the province, the Department must make sure that it will not be easily submerged.

The governor also asked the sangguniang panlalawigan to pass an ordinance that will serve as basis for construction of permanent evacuation centers in flood-prone towns in the province such as Hagonoy, Calumpit,Paombong, Guiguinto, Obando, Bocaue, Marilao, Bulakan, and the cities of Malolos and Meycauayan.

As an example, he said that the grounds of Hagonoy West Central School in Barangay Sto. Rosario in Hagonoy town will be elevated to at least one meter above the road.

The campus of the said school used to go under water during high tide, and during floods.

“There must be a dry area where people can evacuate during flood events,” he said and stressed that to provide that, school facilities must be climate proofed when undergoing rehabilitation.

With regards to funding of permanent evacuation centers, the governor said that they will coordinate with local mayors for counterpart funding.

As this developed, he also urged the sangguniang panlalawigan to pass a resolution asking the national government to establish the first National Dam Safety Board, and the revival of the Pampanga River Control System (PRCS) which is tasked to manage river systems in Central Luzon.

The call for the national dam safety board is a parallel move of the provincial government to the proposed National Dam Safety Law authored by Rep. Marivic Alvarado of the first congressional district of the province.

Bulacan informal settlers to be relocated soon

BUSTOS, Bulacan—Hundreds of informal settlers living on identified geo-hazard zone along the Angat River will soon be relocated to a resettlement site in this town.

Mayor Arnel Mendoza of this town said that first batch of informal settlers will be resettled within the year.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) established a resettlement housing project in a seven hectare lot at Barangay Catacte here.

The mayor said that at least 80 percent of the 1,166 low coast housing units has been completed.

He said that informal settlers living along the banks of Angat River in Baliwag, Plaridel, Pulilan and this town were identified for resettlement.

For Bustos town alone, Mendoza said that at least 600 families has been identified.

“They are the ones who has been identified by the provincial and municipal government,” he said noting that said informal settlers are usual resident who used to be evacuated when Angat, Ipo and Bustos dams in the province release water into the Angat River.

According to Mendoza, community affairs officers (CAO) the Social Welfare and development office in the province and Bustos has coordinated with the residents for identification and validation of families that will be relocated.

He said that informal settlers offered not resistance.

The same was echoed by Amancio Surigao, Fatima Datiles and Erna Villamor, all residents living under the General Alejo Santos bridge that links this town with Baliwag town.

They said that they have been living under the bridge for more than 30 years and noted that when water on the Angat River is high, they have to evacuate on top of the bridge where they used to pitch tents.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to stay away from danger zone” said 52-year old Surigao in vernacular.

In a separate interview, 32-year old Datiles said she always fear for her three children when water on the river start rising.

She said that during the flood spawned by typhoon Pedring in 2012 and monsoon rains last year, they house was submerge and it made her fearful.

“My children are so young and I have to keep watch over them,” Datiles said.

Like Datiles and Surigao, Villamor welcome the housing project offered by the government in Barangay Catacte in Bustos town.

She said that it is not far from their sources of livelihood, but stressed that they might have problems with their children in going to school.

Villamor said that other families living along the bank of Angat River in Barangay Tibag, Baliwag have children attending nearby schools.

“Its just a walking distance from our house, that’s why we don’t have to worry much about transportation,” Villamor said in Filipino.

Earlier, Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado said that housing project developed by NHA in Bustos town will have school facilities along with a clinic and mini-market.

The said housing project is likely to be expanded to accommodate more informal settlers.

He also disclosed that the NHA is also developing another housing project in Pandi town for other informal settlers in the province.  (Dino Balabo)

Declining biodiversity alarms Bulakenyos

HAGONOY, Bulacan – Declining biodiversity in this coastal town has alarmed both officials and residents alike.

 Plant species that used to thrive along rivers and creeks and along the coast of Manila Bay, and a number of fish species that fishermen used to catch in rivers and in the open seas have disappeared.

Impact of such disappearance, they said, are now felt by households that are dependent on fish catch for livelihood and food.

Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado recounted that in his younger days, the riverbanks of the town were filled with different species of plants that were home to insects and a sanctuary for different fish species.

“Dati maraming mga kulasi, sasahan, diliwaryo, bakawan at palapat sa baybayin ng ilog at maging sa dagat,” said Alvarado who served as mayor of this town from 1986 to 1998.

He lamented that areas where plant species used to grow were replaced by concrete structures like houses.

Alvarado added that the quality of the river water has changed in the last 20 years.

This was affirmed by former Bulacan Board Member Patrocinio Laderas who, like Alvarado, was involved in fishpond operations before entering politics.

“Not only plant species are disappearing in a dizzying phase, we are also losing marine species to water pollution,” Laderas said.

As a former fishpond operator, he said that seasonal harvest in recent years has dropped by about 90 percent compared to harvest 20 years ago.

Laderas warned that unless local government units start to make a move today, there will be nothing left in the years to come.

This fear is shared by fishermen like Rodolfo Cabangis who for more than 30 years has braved the waters of Manila Bay.

Cabangis said that local fishermen’s earnings from catch today is not even enough to send their children to school because of the dearth of fish in said bay.

He said that 30 years ago, they fished only along the coastline of Manila Bay in Bulacan. 

Today, however, fishermen here now face the risks of going near or beyond Corregidor Island, where once his neighbors drowned when hit by huge waves.

“Kahit sa palengke wala ka nang mabibiling alugasin, pati yung mga sapsap, alimasag at dalagang bukid madalang na,” he said referring to fish caught in the open sea.

Cabangis also noted that fish sold every day in public markets here are largely sourced from fishponds, adding that pollution and over fishing has led to the present decline in fish catch which results to higher price of this food commodity. Dino Balabo

CMWD moves to avert possible water shortage

MALOLOS CITY—The City of Malolos Water District (CMWD) is bracing itself to meet the increasing needs of its more than 230,000 population with its new board setting plans for service improvement and expansion.

The plans include the establishment of additional pumping stations and tree planting activities.

Engineer Bernie Buenaventura, a member of the CMWD board said that at present, the CMWD has over 45,000 in concessionaires, each consuming a minimum of 120 liters per day.

“Based on our current estimates, we are having weak water pressure in some areas especially during peak hours of the day,” he said noting that CMWD’s current pumping capability is not enough.

A licensed sanitary engineer, Buenaventura said that water demand is increasing everyday, while supply of ground water is slowly getting depleted.

This is due to aggressive developments of residential subdivisions in the city along with construction large malls, not to mention that fact that this city is the academic center of the province, he noted. An additional of at least 30,000 individuals will be added to the city population with the opening of classes in the second week of June.

Buenaventura said that open areas like rice lands were converted into residential subdivisions, with concrete roads. He said the concreting of open areas reduces natural replenishment of ground water.

Making the situation worse is that at least three pumping stations of the CMWD are not functional.

“We need not only to replace old pumping station, we must also improve water pumping capabilities,” he said.

As this developed, Buenaventura asked concessionaires to conserve water while they are hoping for the immediate implementation of the long delayed Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project (Bulacan Bulk).

The said project is seen to address increasing water deficit in the city and depleting ground water supply.

Buenaventura also said that for a long time, the CMWD implemented no tree planting program that will help preserve ground water.

“I will propose tree planting program in the Board the soonest,” he said.

Fire and earthquake drills at SM Marilao

21 MAY 2013- A series of rescue operation was carried out by SM City Marilao’s Emergency Response Group as actual fire, earthquake and evacuation drill was staged during regular mall hours.

“We take this exercise seriously that is why we wanted it to be realistic as possible” on the statement made by Customer Relations Services Manager Jose Berong during the briefing done before the drill.

Weeks before the drill, shoppers, employees and tenants were advised of the simulation to ensure the welfare of each participant. Guaranteeing each and everyone’s safety, BFP along with Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council of Marilao and mall’s building administrators checked the first aid and safety equipment, fire exit doors, fire hydrants location and evacuation route as well as the evacuation area.  Seminars on earthquake as well as fire safety and prevention were likewise taken by the ERG as a refresher course prior to the drill.

The actual fire, earthquake and evacuation drill simulation targets to increase and strengthen mall’s Emergency Response Group (ERG) preparedness, evaluate response capabilities and improve coordination among the tasked units during emergency situations.

Challenging mock-up situations such as traumatized customers covered and injured by falling debris, tenant employees suffering from burn and head traumas as well as severely injured victim with fractures were put up to enhance the mall’s Emergency Response Group (ERG) skills in mobilization, communication and response, as well as the ability to account for all the people within the affected premises.

A mock-up fire scenario also transpired at the entrance of the mall to demonstrate the different types of fire stream while performing the actual simulation of suppressing the fire.

After the drill, Bulacan Provincial BFP, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council of Marilao, Marilao BFP and Barangay Ibayo Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council lauded SM City Marilao for its preparedness and capability in handling disaster situations. This exercise is observed yearly by the mall to illustrate and practice the proper response before, during and after these hazards happen.

PNP creates TF Roura to look into the killing of San Miguel village chair

MALOLOS CITY—Bulacan police created a task force to investigate the recent killing of a village chairman in San Miguel town early Sunday morning as they vowed to go after the suspects.

Senior Superintendent Joel Orduna, acting provincial police director of Bulacan created Task Force Roura late Sunday composed of elements from the Criminal Investigation Detection Team (CIDT) based in Malolos City.

The task force is tasked to conduct a thorough investigation in the killing of Ronnie Roura, the chair of Barangay Poblacion in San Miguel town, and headquarters manager of John Alvarez, a mayoral candidate in the said town.

Superintendent Marcus Rivero, chief of San Miguel police said Task Force Roura started investigation on Sunday.

“We will implement the law without fear or favor,” said Rivero in an interview yesterday.

Citing investigation reports, Rivero said that Roura was killed around 4:30 AM on Sunday by two unidentified armed men.

Roura’s wife Lotus Marie was able to escape but suffered bruises in the process, while Manny Manabat, driver of a tricycle used by the Rouras suffered gunshot wonds.

Reports also said that Ronnie Roura suffered multiple gunshot wounds in different part of the body and in the head.

Lotus Marie said that after the suspects shot her husband, they shot Manabat, then shot Ronnie again, this time in the head.

She said she knows the suspects and can easily identify them, but declined to disclose identities yet.

In a separate interview, mayoral candidate John Alvarez insisted that the killing is politically motivated.

He told PromdiNews in telephone interview that days before the incident, Roura received threatening call from another candidate in San Miguel town.

Alvarez expressed apprehension that the suspects who killed Ro0ura are the same suspects who tried to kill him in February 2012, when his two body guards namely Roelito Vidal and Josefino Alvarez were killed.

Alvarez cited similarities in the modus operandi in both killings wherein the suspects shot the victims in the head after shooting them in the body.

Records obtained by PromdiNews showed that SPO2 Angelito Veracruz Liwag, PO3 Antonino Timoteo and PO1 Alex Dayao of San Miguel Police station were charged with multiple murders and frustrated murder in the 2012 ambush on Alvarez.  Dino Balabo

Diocese of Malolos takes hard line stand vs. candidates hostile on Church teachings

MALOLOS CITY—The Diocese of Malolos  took a hard line stand against anti-life and family candidates in the May 13 automated elections.

In a two page pastoral letter read in all parishes in Bulacan and in the City of Valenzuela, Bishop Jose Francisco Oliveros of the Diocese of Malolos advised parishioners saying “huwag iboto ang mga kandidatong laban sa buhay at pamilya.

Oliveros was referring to candidates who voted for the ratification of the Reproductive Health Law and those that are pushing for laws on divorce, same sex marriage, abortion and euthanasia or mercy killing.

The bishop also encourage parishioners in the province not to vote for candidates who pushed for the establishment landfills in Bulacan along with those who are facing charges of graft and corruption, and involved in illegal mining, illegal fishing, and illegal logging.

Oliveros also specifically called on the laity not to vote for candidates who belong to political dynasty and who have a mistress.

“Ito ang aking panawagan salahat ng mga layko ang kusa at malayang pagtugon sa gawaing ito,” the bishop said in his pastoral letter where in he added, “dapat tumulong ang mga laikong kalalakihan at kababaihan namay mataas na katungkulan sa ating lipunan sa paghubog ng budhinh panlipunan ng botante at dapat silang kumilos upang hayagang suportahan ang pagkakahalal sa mga katungkulang pampublikong mga pinunong may wagas na katapatan.”

In the same letter, Oliveros explained that his call is not partisan, instead, it was a recognition to candidates who are supporting the teachings of the Church.

He also reminded parishioners that in choosing the bext candidates in the May polls, Catholics must have knowledge of the candidates, must inquire and must exercise responsibility.

In inquiring about a certain candidate, Catholics were reminded to consider the four “Cs” which stands for  conscience, character, competence, compassion and commitment.

“Marapat lamang na ang botanteng katoliko ay mapag-isip, mapanuri,at mapagsaliksik sa uri ng pagkatao ng isang pulitiko,”Oliveros said.

With regards to the vaunted Catholic Vote, he described it as an spiritual power that that must evaluate the social, political and cultural landscape.

Ang botong katoliko ay pagtutol,hindi pagboto sa mga pulitiko na ang programa at panuntunan ay laban sa pananampalataya at moral ng Katoliko,” he said.

Meanwhile, political old hands here said that the pastoral letter will affect candidacies of Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado and his wife Rep. Marivic Alvarado.

Aside from the perception that the Alvarados are building apolitical dynastry, Rep. Alvarado also voted in favor of the RH law.

Other candidates are expected to be affected by the pastoral letter is Bulakan town Mayor Patrick Meneses, scion of the political clan who ruled in the town for more than 50 years; and the reelection bid of Mayor Joan Alarilla of Meycauayan City who was charged withy plunder years ago; and Mayor Rolando Flores of the mountain town of Donya Remedios Trindad who was suspended last year for abuse of authority.

Political observers also believes that reelection bids of Mayor Orencio Gabriel who favored the construction of sanitary landfill in Obando town; and Mayor Feliciano Legazpi who is grooming his son as his running mate.  (Dino Balabo)

Bulacan to replicate Shenzhen model for development

MALOLOS CITY– Despite strained diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, Bulacan is looking to replicate the industrial development of Shenzhen province in southern China.

As this developed, the provincial government of Bulacan is preparing the Provincial Physical Framework Plan (PPFP) for presentation on March 1 to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., who hails from Pulilan town.

Ochoa, according to Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado is one of the brains behind the plan to replicate the Shenzhen model, a brainchild of the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.

“We will meet with investors in Bulacan so that we can coordinate development projects and update our Physical Framework Plan,” said Alvarado.

Initially, the governor said that the PPFP has identified growth areas in the province which can be developed into business districts.

These include growth areas in the cities of Malolos, Meycauayan and San Jose Del Monte, along with those in the towns of Pulilan, Plaridel, Baliwag, and San Rafael.

Alvarado said that agriculture areas of San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael and the mountain town of Donya Remedios Trinidad will be impacted by past paced development in the province.

However, he noted that development will be inclusive of all other towns.

He said that they are now conducting inventory of local industries in Bulacan like the pyrotechnics industry in Bocaue, Sta. Maria, Baliwag and San Rafael along with jewelry-making in the City of Meycauayan and aquaculture in the coastal towns of Hagonoy, Paombong, Malolos, Bulakan and Obando.

“This will be an inclusive growth, hindi lang pagpapaganda ng kalsada at mga polisiya, kasama rin sa direct promotion ang production component ng mga industriyang nagbibigay ng development sa Bulacan,” Alvarado said.

With regards to the Shenzhen model, he said that it has not been finalized yet, but they are looking forward to replicating its industrialization and modernization experience.

Based on documents obtained by Punto, Shenzhen is one of the most successful economic zones in the world and the only city which developed at an unprecedented rate.

Records showed that Shenzhen is just a small fishing village with hilly and fertile agrarian land, and with population of only 30,000 when it was established as an special economic zone in 1979.

Today, Shenzhen is a sprawling and high technology manufacturing and service city with over 14.5 million population as of 2012.

Located north of Hongkong, Shenzhen’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was $14,615 in 2010 and is expected to rank 11th in the world in terms of GDP per capita by 2025.

Records also showed that Shenzhen now has more than 6,000 design companies with more than 60,000 employees.

According to Alvarado, Bulacan shares a lot of similarities with Shenzhen as far as location and topography is concerned.

Like Shenzhen, Alvarado said Bulacan also has a hilly and fertile agrarian area, coastal area and it is located just north of Metro Manila.

He said that fast paced development in Bulacan must be carefully planned to ensure balance and protection of ecology.

Hyleap's Youth Fest: Pictorial

Gov. Alvarado called for donations

Let us help Mindanao.

This was the message of Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado on Friday night, December 7 before he led the ceremonial lighting of giant Christmas tree at the capitol compound.

The governor said they will send out letters to local government units and different organizations in the province to gather donations that can be sent to victims of typhoon Pablo in Mindanao.

He also ordered a simple celebration of Christmas party in all government offices in the provinces in order to save fund that can be saved and send to typhoon victims.

This developed, Mayors James De Jesus of Calumpit and Arnel Mendoza expressed full support to the governor's call.

They said they will gather donations and contribution for the relief effort of Bulacan to Mindanao.

Cemeteries as tourist attractions

BALIWAG, Bulacan—Cemeteries must be preserved and developed into tourist destination, a heritage conservation group based in Bulacan urged.

Jaime Corpuz, chair of the Bulacan chapter of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) said cemeteries are not just home to dead loved ones.

He said that it is a repository of images and artifacts with cultural and historical, and resting place of people of importance.

“We have so much to learn about cemeteries, but not too many government unit or agency have seen its significance,” Corpuz said.

He said that monuments like mausoleum and sculpture in cemeteries are good basis for cultural and historical studies.

“Those are historical time pieces that will tell us how our ancestors lived in the past, and what are the influences of other countries to our culture by studying architecture and sculptures,” said Corpuz.

He stressed that cemeteries, especially those that are owned by the Church and by local government be protected and preserved.

Corpuz also proposed tourism programs like Lakbay Kaluluwa study tours be developed by local government units.

The same was echoed by Isagani Giron, the president emeritus of the Samahang Pangkasaysayan ng Bulacan (Sampaka).

 

He said that before a tourism program is developed, local government units must join hands with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the Catholic church in conducting inventory of materials with cultural and historical significance.

“We only go to cemeteries during All Saints day, but it is good subject for cultural and historical studies,” he said.

He cited the Malolos Catholic Cemetery which was built in 1680 as one of the oldest in the country and is the resting place of some of the remains of the members of the famous women of Malolos.

He also agreed with Corpuz that cemeteries are considered as second home to Filipinos, thus, the construction of house like mausoleums.

“Mausoleums are clear example of Spanish influence in our culture because native Filipinos do not have cemeteries, instead, our ancestors used to bury their dead by the river,” Giron explained.

For his part, Father Ruel Arcega of the St. Augustine parish here said that going to cemetery on All Saints day have deeper religious meaning.

““Ito ay pagkilala natin sa muling pagkabuhay, at sa huling araw ng paghuhukom, ang muling pagsasama ng kaluluwa at katawan katulad ng ipinakita ni Panginoong Hesus at Birheng Maria,” said Arcega

With regards to cultural dimension of mausoleums in cemeteries, the priest explained that it’s a testament of the difference betweenthe rich and poor.

On Saturday, the STAR took photos of the mausoleums inside the Sto. Cristo Catholic Cemetery here.

Some of the mausoleums even have a roof top and others were designed like a house complete with power and water supply and comfort room.  (Dino Balabo)