by: Jose Robert Inventor

Some families of the deceased expressed sadness as reconstruction work officially begins at the Binmaley Catholic Cemetery, where several burial sites are set to be covered with soil as part of the project.

Resident Rosita Baniqued visited the graves of her son and other relatives ahead of the reconstruction, taking time to remember their exact locations before they are buried under soil.

The reconstruction project, planned since 2024, aims to address persistent flooding and the disorganized layout of graves inside the cemetery.

According to cemetery coordinator Catalino Parotcha, the site has long lost its solemn atmosphere due to overcrowded and stacked tombs.

The project will be implemented in four phases, including the addition of soil up to two meters high.

Once completed, future burials will no longer be placed underground but will instead use apartment-type columbarium structures.

Authorities clarified that remains will not be exhumed but will simply be covered.

Names of those buried will be transferred to a memorial wall, a decision that disappointed several relatives.

Despite the emotional impact, some families said they would accept the changes if it would improve the condition of the cemetery, especially since flooding has affected many burial sites.

The reconstruction also includes the removal of the cemetery’s old gate built in the 19th century, which drew mixed reactions online.

Management assured the public that parts of the original structure would still be preserved.

At present, the church continues to list the names of those buried in preparation for the memorial wall.