With PDAF gone, more people now asking for burial assistance

CEBU, Philippines - Requests for burial assistance to the city government have increased since the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund, which prompted the office of burial assistance to implement for strict distribution.

At least 1,800 beneficiaries have availed of the burial and coffin assistance from the Cebu City government as of October 30 amounting to P18 million.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he did not see any problem with regards to the increasing demand for burial assistance.

"Okay ra na, wa g’yud na'y problema nako," Rama said.

With this, Ruben Baculi, burial assistance office head, said that this year's P20 million appropriated budget for burial cash assistance and P10 million for caskets is not enough considering the increasing number of be-neficiaries.

However, he said if and when there will be a shortage of funds for the casket or funeral assistance, the burial fund will be utilized for that specific purpose.

"Lisod lagi kaayo kay ang P20 million kulang ra g’yud," Baculi pointed out, adding that he will propose a P30-million budget for next year.

Reportedly there are more beneficiaries for the burial assistance than the funeral assistance or those who wanted assistance to buy caskets.

Yesterday around 100 beneficiaries received the P10,000 burial cash assistance while at least six received P8,000 for caskets.

All of the claimants yesterday thanked the city government for providing them with the said assistance, especially those who are underprivileged.

Beneficiaries are required to present the ne-cessary requirements such as voter's certificate, baptismal or marriage certificate, water or electric bills, birth certificate, and any valid identification cards upon claiming of  assistance at Cebu City Hall.

Also, Baculi said a beneficiary need not be a voter in Cebu City as long as the latter or the authorized claimant can provide documents that can prove that he or she is a resident of Cebu City.

The giving of assistance started on April 1, 2011. Yesterday's beneficiaries were the 89th batch to avail of the benefits. — (FREEMAN)