Quezon City residents are in favor of the city ordinance that still prohibits wakes at home.

Brenda Corpuz agreed that people should think of the safety of everyone since the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is still present.

“Safety first kaya ganyan. Ang sinasabi dito upang maiwasan ang transmission ng virus. Kapag nasa funeral meron pa rin capacity na dapat sundin. Kapag nasa bahay, walang rule. Kaya mas prone sa Covid (Safety first, that is the reason. What they are saying is that this is to avoid the transmission of the virus. Even in funerals, there should be a capacity to be followed. Wakes held at home do not impose rules. This makes people more exposed to Covid),” Corpuz said in her post to the QC government social media page.

The city government reminded that Ordinance No. SP-2907, S-2000 issued in April prohibiting the holding of wakes at home remains in effect.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said the ordinance is still being strictly enforced to avoid mass gatherings which are still prohibited amid the rising number of active Covid-19 cases.

Barangay Community Relations Department (BCRD) head Ricky Corpuz said he received information that some barangays allow wakes to be held at home.

“We remind the family of the deceased that wakes are strictly allowed only in funeral parlors and not at home. It hasn’t changed since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) days,” Corpuz said.

Rhonalyn De Castro, another QC resident, said people have become complacent after 10 months of Covid-19.

“Naging kampante kasi ang ilan sa atin. Dapat sana kahit na sa bahay lang may limit ang tao na dadalaw at ilang araw lang ay ililibing na. Yung iba kasi nakakalimutan ang health protocols na pinatutupad kaya nanghihigpit lang ang ating QC government lalo na sa mga ganitong gathering kung saan pedeng pagsimulan ng kompulan ng tao (Some of us have become complacent. People coming to the wake must still be limited even if the wake is done at home and the funeral must be done immediately. Some have forgotten the health protocols that is why the QC government is being strict in this kind of gatherings which may cause transmission of the virus),” she said.

Belmonte warned barangay officials and funeral home personnel could be fined and imprisoned for violating the ordinance.

She said those who cannot afford to pay funeral parlors can ask for assistance from their respective barangays. (PNA)