By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Councilor Caesar Distrito said he will call for a public hearing regarding the recommendation by General Services Office (GSO) head Jerome Solinap to close the Burgos Public Cemetery and establish a new public cemetery.
In an interview yesterday with Watchmen Daily Journal, Distrito said he has yet to receive a copy of Solinap’s recommendation, although he said a public hearing would determine if it is necessary to proceed with the closure.
“If the recommendation is really necessary, after the conduct of a public hearing, then we will approve the closure, subject to the positive recommendation of the mayor,” Distrito said.
Distrito, who chairs the committee on urban planning and general services of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), presumed Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia was aware of the situation at the cemetery.
He added, the SP would act on the matter once Leonardia endorses the proposal.
Earlier, Solinap stated he would recommend the closure of the Burgos Public Cemetery, citing overcrowding.
Solinap suggested remains that have been buried for five years be exhumed and relocated to a smaller area of the cemetery in order to clear parts of the cemetery.
The issue stemmed during the recent All Souls’ Day observance after several visitors complained to police of having trouble locating the tombs of their loved ones./WDJ