ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – The first and only government-run cemetery in the city situated in a 1.6 -hectare lands in Barangay Sapalibutad here has opened.
The PHP110 million cemetery, one of the priority projects of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, is consisted of facilities and amenities for decent resting place for the departed loved ones of the Angeleños.
“The project reiterates our commitment of providing decent burial to the departed Angeleños. With that said, we will prioritize our cabalens here in Angeles City,” Pamintuan said.
Housed inside the cemetery are state-of-the-art crematorium, columbarium units and chapels. The public cemetery also has an innovative strategy of burying the deceased by using niches to conserve space.
In 2013, the cemetery located in Barangay Cutcut, which was discovered to be owned by the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, was closed for exceeding its maximum capacity. The closure prompted Mayor Pamintuan to establish the city’s own public memorial park.
The construction of the cemetery kicked off in January 2016. In December of the same year, the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod, led by Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno, passed the Ordinance No. 403, or “Establishing the Angeles City Memorial Park and creating the Angeles City Memorial Office under the city mayor”.
However, a clearance from the Department of Health (DOH) was required before its full operation.
The said clearance, which also served as a basis for the issuance of the Sanitary Permit under the Code of Sanitation of the Philippines, was obtained last January 26, 2017 .
“With the rise of our very own burial facility, Angeleños do not need to worry about burying their deceased love ones- this (cemetery) will answer the problem. Rest assured that the city council will be supportive to this notable project in terms of legislative measures ” Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno said.
Meanwhile, the administration of the cemetery will be headed by Marco Nepomuceno, president of Kuliat Foundation Incorporated (KFI).
“It’s public service, not a business enterprise. This cemetery will benefit the poor for it has a decent burial ground and nice surroundings comparative to its private counterparts,” Nepomuceno said.
The proposed fees and charges for Angeles residents are: PHP15,000 for burial inclusive of a headstone and use of the niche apartment type for seven years; PHP12,000 for the cremation services inclusive of urn for the ashes; PHP1,000 per day for the chapel services (maximum of three days); and PHP1,000 per year for columbarium placement.
On the other hand, non-residents of Angeles City can only avail of the cremation services at PHP18,000.
Residency qualifications are required in form of two government issued IDs and a duly signed barangay certification with corresponding verification, and ocular visit from the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWDO). /PNA