Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso has signed an ordinance establishing a new cemetery for deceased Muslim residents of the nation’s capital at the Manila South Cemetery and appropriating funds for it.
Domagoso on Monday signed Ordinance No. 8608, which sets aside P49.3 million for the development of the new cemetery.
Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Majority Floor Leader Joel Chua, Second District Councilor Darwin “Awi” Sia and members of the Manila City Council joined the mayor in signing the bill.
The new cemetery also includes the construction of a Cultural Hall and the creation of plantilla items for the hiring of personnel under the new Muslim Cemetery Division.
The Manila Muslim Cemetery will cover about 2,400 square meters to serve as an exclusive ground for the interment and transfer of the remains of Manila’s deceased Muslim residents.
“It is hereby declared the policy of the City Government of Manila to confer recognition to the Muslim community in Manila with their inherent cultural attributes and customary traditions, especially in terms of caring for the remains of their departed, by defining a burial ground in the South Cemetery and a special body intended to manage it,” the ordinance read.
Its operation will be controlled and supervised by the Manila Health Department.
Domagoso said the ordinance was signed to recognize the cultural attributes and customary traditions of Manila’s Muslim community.
“This marks our respect for the history of our beloved city, that before was ruled over by our Muslim brothers, their rajahs and sultans,” the mayor said.
“Even in this manner, we can show how the city of Manila started, before the Spaniards arrived,” he added.
