CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan is set to investigate the alleged exorbitant fees some individuals are collecting at the city’s public cemetery in Barangay Gun-ob.
Chan, who visited the cemetery yesterday after receiving various complaints, made it clear that cemetery fees are free, if not a minimal amount of P2,000 to P4,000 is charged for the standard tomb fees.
“Kung anaa man gani kay bayran, dili kini dako og dili moabot sa 12k to 15k. Gitukod kini para sa atong mga pobreng kaigsuonan nga adunay problema sa pinansyal. Apan, subo pamalandungon nga adunay pipila nga mipahimulos sa mga kabus. Imbes nga makatabang, mihatag nuon og kalabad sa ulo sa mga hintungdan. Butang nga dili dapat palabyon kay dili ako mosugot nga adunay pipila nga kayang mopahimulos sa uban. Ang makaluluoy mosamot kaluoy kay gihimong gatasan sa mga abusado,” said Chan in his Facebook account.
Chan added he will not tolerate this anomaly and he would be calling for an investigation today with cemetery contractors and some complainants in a bid to stop this illegal activity.
“Manubag ang angay manubag kay dili kita mosugot nga aduna na poy lain ang mabiktima,” Chan said.
During his visit at the cemetery, he had observed that some tombs have three to five units placed on top of each other.
He also noted substandard sepulcher, having thin concrete walls, and widely-spaced wire reinforcements, that caused some chambers to collapse. Leaks were also noted in some chambers.
He added that there are remains that are exhumed at night without coordinating with the management of the cemetery.
“Ang atong administrasyon dili mo-tolerate sa mga abusadong mga tawo nga mi-abuso sa atong pobreng mga kaigsuonan,” Chan said. GAN (FREEMAN)