Saturated to its maximum capacity. That is the current state of the Antiguo Panteón Municipal Valle de Chalco. This municipal cemetery faces a critical space shortage. People no longer have space to bury their dead here.
Welcome to the Antiguo Panteón Municipal Valle de Chalco. It is also known as Cementerio Valle De Xico. You might also hear it called Cementerio Xico or Panteón Civil Xico-chalco. Some call it Valle de Chalco Municipal Cemetery.
Let’s delve into the history and current issues surrounding this burial ground. The local government, led by Mayor Armando García Méndez, has been urged to find a new site for a new cemetery. The current situation leaves residents with few options.
In May 2020, the municipal government bought a hectare of land for the cemetery. This was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, even this new section is already full.
AMAQUEME interviewed residents who confirmed the exhaustion of burial space. They point to the Municipal Organic Law of the State of Mexico. It stipulates that municipalities are responsible for public services. These include the administration and conservation of cemeteries. The residents argue the MORENA government has enough resources to acquire a new property.
The Chalco-Tláhuac ejido cannot donate more land. All land has already been distributed. Some areas are legally protected.
The public services department has no proposals to improve cemetery services. Residents wonder about the promised municipal crematorium. They also ask about the restructuring of the Xico pantheon. No official has provided answers.
During the pandemic, the Antiguo Panteón Municipal Valle de Chalco quickly filled up. In just over a year, 80 percent of the new area was occupied. This rapid saturation was due to both natural deaths and the pandemic. Mayor García Méndez recognized the urgency of the situation in his third government report. He mentioned the near-saturation of the old cemetery in February of the previous year.
The lack of space at the Antiguo Panteón Municipal Valle de Chalco is a pressing issue. It affects the entire community. Finding a solution is essential to provide dignified burial options for the people of Valle de Chalco Solidaridad. The Antiguo Panteón Municipal Valle de Chalco is more than just a cemetery. It reflects the challenges of a growing population and the importance of public services.