The Bacolod City government will shoulder all expenses for the mass transfer of approximately 450 human remains from deteriorating tombs at the Burgos Public Cemetery to a newly constructed bone vault at the Handumanan Public Cemetery.
City officials issued the assurance during a meeting with over 100 affected families at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) lobby on Tuesday, July 7, to iron out the phased relocation plan, which was prompted by severe typhoon damage that has left some remains exposed.
During the dialog representatives from the General Services Office (GSO) and the City Administrator’s Office explained the urgent need to move the remains from the damaged niches situated along the cemetery’s perimeter wall facing Lopez Jaena Street.
GSO Head Gilda Luisma noted that many of these decades-old tombs sustained severe structural compromise from a series of typhoons last year.
“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,” Luisma said.
She added that each new bone vault can accommodate three to four sets of remains. The transfer will be conducted in careful phases, prioritizing the most heavily damaged niches along critical areas like the perimeter fence. Proper religious rites will also be strictly observed throughout the entire process.
City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo assured the families that the local government will absorb the entire financial burden of the relocation.
“From exhumation and the proper handling and wrapping of the bones—with the option for families to witness the process—to the installation of grave markers, everything will be provided free of charge. The bone vault niches in Handumanan are also free,” Mayo said.
He said that families who instead prefer to transfer their loved ones to private cemeteries are welcome to do so, but at their own expense.
The City Health Office was also on hand to discuss strict sanitation protocols and the requirements for securing exhumation permits, while the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) presented the proposed redevelopment plan for the Lopez Jaena side of the Burgos Public Cemetery once the area is cleared.
Architect Jaries Encabo of the CEO walked families through the physical design of the bone vaults and addressed personal concerns regarding name corrections, burial arrangements, and the vault’s capacity.
During the meeting, Mayo also took the opportunity to dispel local rumors circulating about the land’s future.
“There is no plan to sell Burgos Public Cemetery to Megaworld,” he clarified, adding that a standing city ordinance fully authorizes the local government to act on dilapidated structures that pose immediate safety risks, particularly those affecting public access.
Among the residents who attended the dialogue was 63-year-old Azela Nepomuceno, whose relatives are buried at the Burgos cemetery. She expressed relief over the city’s intervention.
“It’s really a good decision because the situation at Burgos Cemetery has become difficult to manage. Sometimes we’re even afraid to visit because of its condition, so transferring the remains to Handumanan is the better option,” Nepomuceno said.
“Before, the pathways had become so narrow that it was difficult to pass through. That’s why we support the transfer. As soon as we heard about it, we immediately went to the Public Affairs and Assistance Division to inquire”, she said.
City planners said the initiative ultimately aims to eliminate lingering safety hazards along Lopez Jaena Street while paving the way for wider sidewalks, safer pedestrian access, and vibrant additional green spaces once the affected area is completely cleared.*
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