Raps follow use of closed cemetery

CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly defying an existing ordinance and the sanitation code, eight residents of Barangay Bateria, Daanbantayan, Cebu are facing charges before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Former Daanbantayan Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot and Bateria barangay captain Samuel Damole said that even if Barangay Bateria Cemetery was closed, respondents Lolita Sipalay, Narciso Cahayagan, Ruel Cahayagan, Lucas Almasol, a certain Auring, Meling, Lorena, Bebe and unidentified persons of Brgy. Bateria buried the remains of the late Roberta Cahayagan.

“Sanitary Inspector Dario Jedien Cuyos explained to the relatives of the deceased that they are not allowed to bury the dead at the Brgy. Bateria Cemetery since it has been temporarily closed due to failure to comply with the requirements of the municipal ordinance and sanitation code. Unfortunately, Cuyos was met with hostility and defiance,” the complaint reads.

The complainants said that in 2003, the council passed and approved the ordinance which regulates the establishments and operations of all cemeteries within the municipality of Daanbantayan as well as the prohibition of indiscriminate burials, the sale and disposition of burial rights inside Balingasag including corresponding fees and revenues.

Daanbantayan has 42 cemeteries.

The complainants said that despite their efforts to educate and inform the residents of their municipality as to the health risks of indiscriminate burials in the unlicensed cemeteries, the said residents continued to ignore them.

Of the 42 cemeteries, the complainants said only five cemeteries complied with the necessary requirements. These include the municipal cemetery in Brgy. Bitoon, San Isidro Labrador Cemetery in Brgy. Maya, Tominjao Public Cemetery, Talisay Public Cemetery and Our Lady of Visitation Cemetery in Brgy. Bagay, all in Daanbantayan. MIT (FREEMAN)