The Makati City government announced on Tuesday it will shoulder the expenses for the cremation of residents who died due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Mayor Abigail Binay said her administration has signed an agreement with NewLife Techwin Inc., which will provide two crematory machines to the city.
“In these trying times, the city government wishes to show its support and compassion for the family of the deceased by shouldering the cremation expenses. This is the least we could do to console them,” said Binay, adding the cremation of remains will cost P18,300 per person.
As of April 13, the city has recorded 177 confirmed cases of Covid-19, 495 persons under investigation (PUI), 312 persons under monitoring, 18 deaths, and 30 persons who have recovered from the infectious and deadly disease.
Binay also assured residents that the cremation process is safe, adding it has passed the protocols set by the Department of Health.
Under the memorandum of agreement, the partner-company will manage crematory procedures for one year. NewLife will also help the city in
building a temporary crematorium at the Makati Park and Garden where the city has designated an area for the said facility.
On Monday, the city chief executive announced the ongoing construction of four emergency quarantine facilities for Covid-19 patients and PUIs.
Earlier, the city government converted the Makati Friendship Suites, a city-owned hostel in Brgy. Cembo, into a quarantine facility for PUIs.
Barangay health centers have also put up isolation areas for residents with Covid-related symptoms.
The city government had imposed mandatory quarantine for persons either confirmed or suspected to be infected with an infectious or communicable disease.
Residents, workers and all other persons in the city are also required to wear face masks while outdoors or in public places while the country is under the state of public health emergency or similar declarations.
Mayor Binay said the Sangguniang Panlungsod recently passed Ordinance No. 2020-088, or The Mandatory Quarantine Ordinance of the City of Makati, and Ordinance No. 2020-089 mandating the wearing of face masks
or other protective gear outside the home while the city is dealing
with a public health emergency. Both impose stiff penalties and even imprisonment on violators.