The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod unanimously approved on third and final reading an ordinance regulating the consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages in all public and private cemeteries.
Authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, the measure aims to promote public safety and order while preserving respect for the dead through a special “Tigkalalag/Undas/Piyesta Minatay” liquor ban.
The ordinance establishes comprehensive rules for cemetery conduct, enforcement guidelines, and public information protocols, while providing limited exemptions for bona fide religious rites and regulated businesses operating within memorial parks, Distrito said in a press release on Thursday, Feb. 5.
Distrito said that the measure is a preventive public safety effort designed for the Undas season when massive crowds converge on local cemeteries.
He noted that by setting clear and enforceable rules, the city aims to prevent incidents and ensure that families can remember their loved ones in a peaceful and orderly environment. Under the new law, it is now unlawful year-round to consume alcoholic beverages or possess open containers of alcohol in any public space within a cemetery.
The ordinance further intensifies enforcement during the peak period of October 31 to November 3, when safety risks are highest due to crowd density.
During this window, the City is authorized to establish checkpoints at cemetery entrances to inspect bags and parcels, document prohibited items, and manage traffic and crowd flow.
Distrito added that the ordinance serves to protect the public and maintain the solemnity of spaces meant for prayer and remembrance, preventing disturbances that often arise from unchecked drinking.
To ensure the public is well-informed, the Public Information Office is mandated to conduct a citywide awareness campaign via broadcast media, online platforms, and physical postings at least two weeks before the annual Undas period, Distrito said.
Violators face a range of penalties, including fines and community service for initial offenses, while repeat offenders may face imprisonment. Additionally, licensed establishments within memorial parks that tolerate violations risk administrative sanctions, including the potential suspension or revocation of their permits, he added.
Following its unanimous approval, the ordinance will be submitted to Mayor Greg Gasataya for his signature. Once signed, it will be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Bacolod City and will take effect in accordance with the law.*
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