DOH reminds mayor: Observe laws on cemetery operation

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health has reminded Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro of the laws pertaining to operations of cemeteries following reports of indiscriminate burial in cemeteries previously closed by the previous administration.

The reminder came in response to the letter of former mayor Ma. Luisa Loot requesting the DOH to investigate the report.

“It appears that the new administration is encouraging and condoning these blatant violations of the law by turning a blind eye and a deaf ear,” said Loot in her letter dated July 3, 2013.

Loot reported that even before the newly elected officials led by Corro took their oath, a number of their supporters have started burying their dead in some of the closed cemeteries.

In a letter dated July 24, 2013 addressed to Corro, DOH- 7 director Asuncion Anden cited provisions of the Presidential Decree 856 otherwise known as the Sanitation Code of the Philippines.

The law provides that DOH clearance is required for a land to be utilized as burial ground.

It said that upon the recommendation of the local health authority, a cemetery maybe ordered closed by the regional health director subject to the approval of the Secretary of Health when its further use poses a threat to public health.

The requirement for the 25-meter and 50-meter distance from the nearest dwelling house and the source of water supply, respectively, can no longer be made and the cemetery has been utilized in full and further burials can no longer be made.

Resolution for the closure of said cemetery shall be passed by the municipal council concerned.

It is the responsibility of the local government to reserve appropriate tract of lands under their jurisdiction, for cemeteries subject to approval of regional health director concerned.

The local government may close cemeteries under their jurisdiction subject to the approval of the regional health director.

“Cemeteries concerned which passed the above mentioned requirements may not be closed, however, these cemeteries must apply/secure a DOH clearance from this office to make these a legally authorized burial ground,” Anden said.

Daanbantayan used to have 42 public cemeteries but 37 were ordered closed by the DOH in 2010 due to various violations.

To date, the town has five public cemeteries located in Bitoon, Maya, Talisay, Tuminjao and Calape.

On October 11, 2011, Loot ordered the closure or cessation of burials in unauthorized burial grounds, as recommended by the DOH -7.

The issue was used by Loot’s political rivals during the campaign in the last elections. Corro himself promised to his supporters during the campaign to reopen these cemeteries when he gets elected.— (FREEMAN)