Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso urged Manileños to report individuals who ask money for cremation from grieving relatives of persons who succumbed to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Cremation at the Manila North Cemetery for Manileños is free, Domagoso said.
"ung may maniningil sa inyo sa cremation, ipagpaalam ninyo sa amin agad dahil libre po dapat ito. Hindi po natin hahayaan na pagkakitaan pa ng iba ang mga kababayan nating yumao dahil sa COVID-19 (If someone asks you to pay for cremation, inform us immediately because this is free. We will not allow other people to make money from persons who died of COVID-19)," Damagoso posted on his official Facebook page Sunday.
The Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) said Manileños can report to the official Facebook page of the mayor (https://www.facebook.com/iskomorenodomagoso) or the MPIO page (https://www.facebook.com/ManilaPIO), or send a formal complaint at MPIO's email:[email protected] .
Domagoso expressed gratitude to Manila North Cemetery Director Roselle 'Yayay' Castañeda for giving free cremation to Manilenos who died of COVID-19.
"Ang hakbang na ito ay makakabawas sa gastusin ng mga naulilang pamilya ng ating mga kababayan (This will help lessen the expenses of those who lost their loved one to COVID-19)," the mayor said.
The Manila North Cemetery said the family of the COVID-19 patient must present the death certificate, a photocopy of their identification card to show proof of relation to the victim, and an urn for the ash.