Rep. Rodriguez wants gov't to shoulder COVID-19 victim cremation, burial costs

Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez urged the national government to shoulder the cremation or burial expenses of COVID-19 victims.

Rodriguez was moved by a television report showing widows of COVID-19 victims having to walk long distances to attend to the burial arrangements of their loved ones.

He proposed that the Department of Health (DOH) should reimburse local government units (LGUs) for all expenses incurred in the cremation or burial of COVID-19 patients.

Rodriguez suggested that LGUs should form specialized teams to handle the arrangements, discouraging relatives from participating directly to ensure their safety.

He also noted the importance of adhering to the Muslim tradition of burying the dead within 24 hours, as cremation is not permitted in Islam.

While the Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19 directed LGUs to handle these costs, Rodriguez pointed out that not all LGUs have the financial capacity of cities like Makati, which has already committed to covering these expenses.