DAVAO CITY - A mass grave site will soon be built in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte as the town's public cemetery runs out of space due to mounting deaths from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), an official said Wednesday. Mart Dumali Sambalud, Sto. Tomas information officer, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA), that they are currently scouting a lot for the site. "We are eyeing an [local government unit]-owned property here and it will eventually be used as the site," he said. The Covid-19 Task Force of Santo Tomas noted a significant rise in the number of deaths in Santo Tomas due to a surge in Covid-19 cases. As of October 5, Santo Tomas has registered a total of 141 pandemic-related deaths. Sambalud said the Santa Cruz Public Cemetery located in Barangay San Jose could no longer accommodate burials since the graves had already run-up to the boundary line of the cemetery. "As per Covid-19 regulations on the management of the dead, those who die that cannot afford
They were identified as Alex Alagao, 72, and Rico Norquia, 52, residents of Barangay 5.
Executive Assistant Dionilo Bogtae, the city head for Public Safety and Sipalay Emergency Assistance and Rescue Services, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that he picked up the two from the Philippine Coast Guard Station in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
The fishermen arrived at the station from Zamboanga del Norte at 10 p.m. Wednesday, said Commander Jansen Benjamin, head of PCG-Negros Oriental.
Bogtae was able to talk to Alagao and Norquia over the phone after they were rescued by fellow fishermen in Barangay Balagunan, Siocon Monday afternoon.They went fishing aboard the pump boat “Bestfriend” on the afternoon of Feb. 17 and the following day, they informed the local disaster unit that they encountered engine trouble about five nautical miles off the coast of Sipalay.