Press Release
April 13, 2020

SEN. NANCY URGES GOV'T TO SHOULDER
CREMATION COSTS OF COVID-19 DEATHS

Senator Nancy Binay urged the government to shoulder the cost of cremating the remains of victims of COVID-19.

Binay said one of the reasons why there are many unclaimed cadavers in the hospital is because many families do not have the financial resources to handle the cremation costs of their loved ones.

"Sa tingin ko, kayang sagutin ng gobyerno ang gastos sa cremation ng mga pamilyang mahihirap, or the government can extend assistance to families who have immensely suffered financially. Nakakalungkot na walang magawa ang mga pamilyang namatayan dahil maliban sa kailangan nilang bayaran pa ang cremation, nawalan pa sila ng trabaho, at ang mas mabigat ay nawalan sila ng mahal sa buhay," Binay said.

Binay added that the Department of Health or the Department of Interior and Local Government can enter in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the National Federation of Mortuary Stakeholders to ensure the proper handling of remains in hospitals, homes, and quarantine centers based on IATF guidelines.

A month after the lockdown, the DILG, DOH, MMDA the different LGUs in Metro Manila are only now discussing the "management and disposal" of the remains of COVID-19 deaths.

Binay said that under the DSWD Revised Guidelines on AICS for burial assistance, the department will shoulder part of the funeral cost and the family can receive up to P10,000 assistance even if they do not submit a case study report.

"Meron binibigay na P10,000 ang DSWD para sa standard burial assistance. Sa sitwasyon ng mga naulilang pamilya dahil sa COVID, maaaring lakihan ng DSWD. Yung pagsagot ng bayarin ay napakalaking bagay na para matulungan natin silang makapag-move on sa gitna ng pandemya," Binay said.

Binay also called on all LGUs to strictly monitor crematoriumss and funeral parlors in their areas to ensure that these establishments are adhering to the guidelines set by the IATF and DOH.

Likewise, the senator appealed to crematoriums and funeral parlors not to take advantage of families affected by the current pandemic.

"Sa nangyayari sa buong mundo ngayon, it's never a good time to die. Malungkot at wala kang karamay. Di ka makapagpaalam man lang sa iyong mga mahal sa buhay. Wala kang last rites, or proper burial. Kaya nakakagalit yung meron kang mababalitaang mga punerarya at crematoriums na nananamantala para pagkakitaan ang pamilyang namatayan," Binay said.

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