Cebu City barangay chief accepts ‘used coffins’ for donation

CEBU, Philippines — Even dying can be expensive nowadays.

Aware of this, San Nicolas, Cebu City barangay captain Clifford Jude Niñal continues to negotiate and accept "used" coffins as donations for the poor, especially for the homeless.

Niñal told The Freeman that this initiative started during the pandemic when a homeless person whom he adopted in the barangay died and no one took care of the dead.

One after another, more residents also died and needed coffins.

The cheapest coffin here is priced at P5,000, and the value could go up to half a million accordingly.

With other expenses to be shouldered aside from the coffin itself, Ninal told some of his friends about the situation in the barangay until they found someone who was willing to donate a “used” one.

Ninal explained that those coffins they got were not actually used for a long time. Instead, they were used for display purposes only since the remains of the dead that was supposed to use it have already been cremated before being transported back to Cebu.

“Naay mga punerarya nga dili musugot na walay lungon nakadisplay, so mao ning naay mga used nga lungon,” said Ninal.

Along the way, Ninal said, he was also able to negotiate a funeral home to swap expensive “used” coffins that they got to several ones.

“Naay lungon gikan gawas, around P300 thousand..So sayang man kung usa ra ka tawo ang makabenipisyo, so ako gi negostiate na i-swap. Ang usa ka lungon ila kong pulihan ug upat ba or or lima ka lungon… Makaginsya pa gani sila kung buot, pero mas okay na lang pud na kaysa walay musugot,” Ninal said.

Right now, Ninal said they still have some stocks of coffins, but they are prioritizing the homeless and the poorest of the poor in his barangay and even others who are in need.

“Priority gyud nato ang naa sa barangay, pero di man gyud na malikayan nga naay laing manginahanglan na luoy pud kaayo, ato lang pud tabangan,” Ninal said.

Ninal said he is open to accepting more donations of coffins so even the poor can have a decent coffin and burial.

Aside from the free coffins, Ninal also continues to offer free ride to families and relatives during the burial of a deceased loved one. — JMD (FREEMAN)