Siquijor lone District Rep. Jake Vincent Villa wants to regulate the erection and maintenance of crematories in the country.
Villa filed House Bill No. 7378 which seeks to prohibit the establishment of crematoriums near a residential community where it would pose a hazard to health and air quality.
He noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, crematories have become the ideal way of handling bodies of the deceased.
“Due to the rise of cremations, there is a growing body of research that indicates cremation has a significant impact on the environment,” Villa said.
He said the emissions from crematories include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury, hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acid, and other heavy metals, in addition to persistent organic pollutants.
HB 7378 provides that no crematory shall be erected within 150 meters of any residential structure or land used for the residential purpose not owned by the owner of the crematory.
Those who intend to erect crematoriums shall write their concerned local government units (LGUs) and a hearing shall be held within the town or city in which such location is situated within 65 days from the date of receipt of such application.
Each applicant shall pay a reasonable fee, together with the costs of the publication of such notice, as the local authority may determine by ordinance,it said.
HB 7378 prohibits the erection of crematories until the plans therefore have been filed and approved by the Secretary of the Department of Health, and prohibits its use until it has been inspected and received a certificate of inspection by the DOH.
It provides that a crematory shall be open at all times for inspection by the DOH. If, upon the inspection by the DOH, it is found that such crematory is in such condition as to be detrimental to public health, the DOH shall give to the applicant or operator of the crematory notice and opportunity for hearing as provided in regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Health.
The DOH Secretary may, after such hearing, revoke, suspend or refuse to issue or renew any such certificate upon cause found at hearing.
Violators of the proposed Act shall be fined not more than P5,000 or imprisoned of not more than two years, or both.