The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure aimed at providing affordable funeral services to impoverished Filipinos.
House Bill (HB) No. 102, also known as “An Act Providing for Funeral Services to Indigents,” was authored by House Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th district Representative Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco. The bill passed before the House adjourned the second regular session of the 19th Congress on Wednesday, May 22.
Frasco emphasized the bill’s intent to ease the financial burden on grieving families, particularly those in extreme poverty. “By passing the Affordable Funeral Service Act, the dignity of every Filipino is upheld, no matter the income class, and equitable access to affordable funeral services is assured, alleviating the pain and sorrow that inevitably comes with death,” he was quoted as saying by Manila Bulletin.
The proposed legislation requires all funeral establishments to offer services for indigent families at a maximum cost of P20,000. This package includes mortuary services, a casket or coffin, and other related services. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will monitor and regulate these prices, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) may provide additional financial assistance to eligible applicants.
In his plenary sponsorship speech, Frasco underscored the necessity of the bill, reflecting on his experiences as Mayor of Liloan in Cebu and later as a congressman. He recounted meeting families who were unable to afford funeral services, exacerbating their grief with financial distress.
“This legislation is not merely about regulation; it is fundamentally a matter of social justice,” Frasco concluded.
The approval of HB No. 102 is seen as a significant step towards ensuring that all Filipinos, regardless of their economic status, can afford to give their deceased loved ones a dignified farewell.
