Cimatu Leads The Search for More Burial Sites in Cebu City

Environment Secretary and Cebu Overseer Roy Cimatu eyes more coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) burial sites in Cebu City to address the crematory backlogs due to COVID-19-related deaths.

Cimatu, along with other officials surveyed possible burial sites in barangay Sapangdaku on Monday, July 13.

Cimatu explained that they identified the burial sites thoroughly so it cannot compromise the health and safety of residents living in near communities.

“We have to immediately identify burial sites that are outside protected areas, and will pose no harm to the immediate community,” Cimatu said.

Meanwhile, Retired MGen. Mel Feliciano, one of Cimatu’s assistants in Cebu recognized the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) since it provides a more proactive response to the pandemic.

“Forward planning and swift implementation will give Cebu City the edge it needs to defeat COVID-19. There is an urgent public health risk posed by the lack of crematories, so we have to do what we can and do it quickly,” Feliciano said.

As of 5pm yesterday, July 14, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 69 new cases in Cebu City.

Cebu City has now a total of 7,589 total confirmed cases, of which 3,142 are active, 4,059 recoveries and 388 total deaths. (MLC)