By CARLA N. CAÑET
Tuesday, July 4, 2017

THIRD District Representative Alfredo Benitez on Monday, July 3, led the launching of the “Asenso Metro 3rd Burial Assistance: Tabang sa Kalisod” program aimed to institutionalize burial assistance for the district’s less privileged residents.

BACOLOD. Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Alfredo Benitez (center) and Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano (3rd from left) with (from left) Mayors Andrew Montelibano of Murcia, Neil Lizares of Talisay City, Francis Frederick Palanca of Victorias City, Mark Andrew Golez of Silay City, and Marvin Malacon of E.B. Magalona show the memorandum of agreement for the burial assistance program. (Carla N. Cañet)

In rites held at Nature’s Village Hotel in Talisay City, Benitez signed a memorandum of agreement with Talisay Mayor Nilo Jesus Antonio Lizares III Lizares, Silay City Mayor Mark Andrew Golez, Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, E.B. Magalona Mayor Marlon Malacon, and Murcia Mayor Andrew Montelibano to formalize the implementation.

The program, which will provide residents with access to free funeral and burial services, brings together the resources and efforts of the local government units (LGUs) in the Third District through the initiative of Benitez.

Beneficiaries will receive a uniform financial assistance amounting to P10,000.

Benitez said it is always a big burden for a family if one member dies, and although other occasions can just be postponed, a burial or funeral of a person can never be moved or reset.

“It's always been a big problem for the family every time this situation occurs because this is inevitable. It happens to all. But for those residents who can hardly afford, the government will come in and extend the needed assistance,” he added.

Under the program, LGUs will have a partnership with funeral parlors in the district that every time an indigent dies, they have to go their LGU and ask for assistance. The LGU will then refer the family to the partner funeral parlor.

The burial assistance will cover the cost of embalming and casket. The minimum days for the embalming are five days. The LGU will shoulder the expense up to a maximum of P10,000.

Benitez said they will set aside P30 million for the program this year.