City dads favor opening of additional crematorium

NO OBJECTION. Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) did not object to the proposed operation of additional crematorium in Iloilo City. During their blended regular session on Tuesday (Oct. 12, 2021), the SP passed a Resolution of No Objection for the proposed crematorium project of the Forest Lake Development Inc in Mandurriao district. (PNA photo screenshot of the virtual session)

ILOILO CITY – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here has unanimously approved the proposed opening of another crematorium here provided the operator has complied with all the requirements, and laws and regulations governing its operation, particularly on health and environment.

On Tuesday, the SP passed the Resolution of No Objection (RONO) for the crematorium project of the Forest Lake Development Inc, which currently operates a memorial park in Barangay Calahunan in this city’s Mandurriao district.

“The operation of another crematorium in Iloilo City is urgently needed in view of the prevailing Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic,” said the resolution sponsored by councilor Ely Estante, chair of the committee on public service, and environmental protection and ecology during the SP blended regular session.

The RONO is part of the requirements set by the Department of Health (DOH) before the issuance of the initial and operational clearances.

Already, it has secured a special use permit from the Iloilo City Zoning Board of Appeals and Adjustments.

Park Officer Annie Mampo, who represented the project proponent during the session, said initially they intend to operate for 12 hours that can process around 24 cadavers using their two machines.

Their price charge ranges from PHP40,000 to PHP60,000 depending on the type of urn that will be used.

“We are asking for the MOA (memorandum of agreement) that is initially being done with other crematorium. We will be able to give lower prices for our indigent constituents,” she said.

Estante, meantime, said that it is better to have an additional player so there is an available option for the public and there will be no monopoly.

Currently, the city and other provinces in Panay are being serviced by the Gegato Abecia Funeral Homes and Crematory in Jaro district.

Two months ago, local government units in Panay island had to resort to burying their relatives who died of Covid-19 after the lone crematorium got overwhelmed by the number of cadavers that they had to process. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1156393