Yesterday, the “Friends of the Cemetery” led by Ed Tenorio and the Saipan mayor’s office wrapped up their week-long cleanup in preparation for today’s All Saints Day observance.
Bobbie Torres, one of the “Friends of Cemetery” members, and John Aldan, field operations director of the mayor’s office, said they were “disappointed” with the illegal dumping in the area.
“We need the cooperation of the community,” Torres said, who also cleaned up the tombs of her uncle, former Lt. Gov. Francisco C. Ada and her husband Juan Wesley Torres.
She visits the cemetery every Sunday to offer flowers to her family members buried there, and always notices garbage in the area.
She said their group has a plan to regularly maintain and clean the cemetery with the help of volunteers.
Max Aguon, Rep. Ralph Demapan’s community worker and a regular cleanup volunteer, said they installed six trash bins at the entrance of the cemetery and empty them twice a week.
Jermae Reyes, who was cleaning the tomb of her grandfather yesterday, said people should show some respect by disposing their trash properly.
At least 15 personnel from the mayor’s office joined the cleanup which included trimming overgrown vegetation.
Aldan said they also used heavy equipment to fill the muddy ground at the cemetery entrance with aggregates.
Since last week, some community members have started painting and cleaning the tombs of their deceased family members.
Some have already offered flowers, candles and prayers.
