MANILA – The Manila City government on Tuesday said its South Cemetery would soon have its own crematorium.
In a statement, Mayor Honey Lacuna said the city government approved the PhP 24.8 million proposal of the winning bidder, Chainworks Corporation.
She said the crematorium project was bid out on August 30.
“The crematorium is one of our high-impact, pro-poor infrastructure projects implemented by the Manila Health Department (MHD). The cemetery and related services are under the purview of the MHD,” Lacuna said.
She said the need for a public crematorium in the city was one of the lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic.
“In the 2025 city budget, PhP 33.475 million is the allocation for cemetery services and PhP 7.76 million of that is for maintenance and other operating services and PhP 25.7 million is for personnel salaries, wages, and benefits,” Lacuna said.
Lacuna inspected the Manila South Cemetery Monday afternoon to check on its preparations for the annual observance of honoring the dead on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2.
‘Undas’ in storm-hit areas
Catholics in storm-affected areas may remember their dearly departed in their homes and need not visit cemeteries.
“For flooded areas, the faithful can offer prayers for the departed in the confines of their homes. They may also prepare a simple altar as gestures of remembrance,” Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs, said in a phone interview.
Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) has so far affected over 7 million persons after pummeling most of Luzon last week.
On the other hand, the Manila Cathedral issued a prayer for family to pray for their departed loved ones.
“Let us gather as a family in praying for the souls of our beloved dead. Let us entrust them to the mercy of God and the maternal care of our Mother Mary,” it said in a social media post. (PNA)