Inspired by Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, solons propose state-run crematoriums

Inspired by the spate of killings which is an offshoot of President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, three congressmen proposed building a crematorium in every legislative district.

The proposal, contained in House Bill No. 135 authored by AKO Bicol party list Representatives Rodel Batocabe, Alfredo Garbin, and Christopher Co, is reminiscent of Nazi Germany more than 80 years ago, when Adolf Hitler waged a campaign to eliminate the Jews.

More than 20 million were killed in the 12-year reign of terror. Gas chambers and crematoriums were built to hasten the killings and the disposal of dead bodies.

News reports about the bill quoted Batocabe as saying, “Should President Duterte stay true to his mission to eliminate drug pushers by hook or by crook, our cemeteries will definitely be filled to the brim and the crematories will greatly help in this regard.”

Garbin added, “With a projected increase of deaths, congestion of our burial land will get worse so much so they are no longer conducive to the living and its dead residents.”

Almost all of the more than a hundred killed in the campaign against illegal drugs since July 1 (more than 300 since May 10 after the election which Duterte won) are poor, wearing slippers. A number were killed because they allegedly tried to grab the policemen’s pistols with their hands cuffed.

HB 135 tasks the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to manage, operate and maintain a secured, clean, and adequately-equipped crematory in each legislative district. It shall formulate the socialized rates for the cost of cremation, proportionate to the financial capability of the surviving family of the deceased.

Stressing that their measure is pro-poor, the authors said their bill also provides for a socialized fee structure to help indigent and marginalized families to avail themselves of free cremation services while sparing them of expenses for burial land and casket.
“With subsidized cremation costs, the government can ensure the affordable and accessible burial services to our people. Suffice it to state, this is a social equal access to social services even until their deaths,” Batocabe said.

He noted that cremation is generally cheaper than the traditional burial rites. Citing a 2015 data, he said a memorial lot costs at least P70,000, with an additional amount of at least P25,000 for the interment, including the casket.

Public cemeteries, which are cheaper require renewal fees which could lead to disposal of the remains if the surviving family defaults on payment, Batocabe said.

Cremation process costs approximately P25,000, with the optional niche costing between P35,000 to P50,000. However, such niches are designed to hold numerous urns, still making it affordable in comparison.

Batocabe said, “Our poor will have the choice to spend less, and still give their loved ones a respectable burial without burning a hole in their pocket.”

Another advantage, Garbin said, is that cemeteries will be decongested and visits for the annual All Saints’ and All Souls’ days would not be stressful.

Co said their measure encourages the productive use of lands for agricultural, residential and industrial purposes. “Cremation is more environmentally friendly compared to traditional burial which could introduce contaminants from the coffin and the body,” he said.

Rep. Co is the brother of Albay businessman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, chief executive officer of the family-owned Sunwest Group of Companies that is into real estate development, construction and hydro power generation, among others.

The Cos may yet include, if they are not yet into that business, crematorium building. With more than 230 legislative districts, a crematorium in every district, that’s one good business. As good as the funeral business that news reports said is predicted to “flourish” this year.

Excuse me, I’m about to puke.