MANILA, Philippines- Inaprubahan ng Senado ang isang panukalang batas na naglalayong magbigay ng libreng funeral services sa mahihirap na pamilya na lubos na nangangailangan at nasa krisis na sitwasyon, sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa nitong Lunes.
Nakatakda ang panukala sa Senate Bill No. 2965, na kikilalanin bilang Free Funeral Services Act.
Ayon sa panukala, tinutukoy na mahirap ang isang pamilya na hindi lalampas ang buwanang kita sa poverty threshold na itinakda ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) at sinuman na hindi makapagbigay ng pangunahing pangangailangan tulad ng pagkain, kalusugan, edukasyon at pabahay o anumang essential amenities sa buhay na itinakda sa Republic Act No. 8425, o mas kilala bilang “Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act.”
Bibigyan ng libreng pagpapalibing ang isang pamilya na nasa krisis na sitwasyon na tutukuyin ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), kabilang pero hindi limitado sa indigent families, o sinumang apektado ng kalamidad, sakuna at pangyayaring pangkagipitan kaya wala silang pagkakataon na makapagbigay ng mahusay na serbisyo ng pagpapalibing.
“Qualified poor family will be given “Indigent Funeral Package” which includes preparation of funeral documents, embalming, interment or burial services, transport, cremation, and inurnment services, including the provision of a casket, urn, or venue, as the case may be, offered by funeral establishments,” ayon sa panukala.
Nakatakda din sa batas ang isang probisyon na nagsasabing: “Free funeral services shall be provided to poor families per death of a family member by accredited funeral establishments anywhere in the country, provided that every funeral establishment shall have a uniform indigent funeral package, regardless of such establishment’s type or location available to all poor families, as determined by and in coordination with the DSWD.”
Kabilang sa isusumiteng dokumento sa pagkuha ng indigent funeral package: Valid identification card of the claimant or beneficiary; (b) Death certificate issued by the hospital or city/municipal health office, or certification from the tribal chieftain; (c) Funeral contract signed by the representative of the deceased’s family, the funeral establishment, and an authorized DSWD personnel; and (d) Social case study prepared by any registered social worker. Ernie Reyes
