Manila is offering free cremation services for COVID-related deaths, even as the load at the Manila North Cemetery has gotten heavier in recent days, reaching 22 to 26 cadavers per day.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said while MNC headed by Roselle “Yayay” Castaneda has been offering free cremation services since the height of the pandemic last year, “I don’t like giving that kind of service.”
Hearing about deaths taking place in the city “never fails to sadden” him, Domagoso said.
Through a memo issued last year, Manila Barangay Bureau chief Romy Bagay informed all villages in the city that Domagoso had ordered the provision of free cremation services for those whose loved ones died of the coronavirus.
Bagay said the free services would be on a first-come, first-served basis for COVID-related deaths.
Domagoso said the rules state the remains of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases must be cremated or buried within 12 hours after death.
The mayor said cremation usually costs between P18,000 and P40,000, and that the high prices only add to the burden of those who have already lost their loved ones.
Domagoso directed the affected families to coordinate with the Castaneda’s office for the schedule and completion of requirements.
Castaneda said that apart from an application, the MNC also requires the family member or relative to bring his or her own identification card and that of the deceased, an urn, and the temporary death certificate duly signed by the doctor concerned.
Once these are complied with, the family member may get a schedule from the MNC.
Castaneda said each cremation takes about two hours plus 30 minutes cooling time, and that they start as early as 5 a.m. and end as late as 1 a.m. to be able to accommodate as many requests as possible.
Most important, Castaneda stressed that opening the cadaver bag at any point is prohibited and that once the body arrives, it will have to be immediately cremated.
Meanwhile, Domagoso paid a late evening visit to the site of the yet to be built Manila COVID-19 Hospital at the Luneta Park, accompanied by City Engineer Armand Andres, who said his men are working round the clock to meet the 60-day targeted date of completion as set by the mayor himself.
