Congressional class discrimination

Last week I made a comment about the need to match what government agencies give as burial assistance versus what funeral parlors charge for their services. Last Monday October 31st I had the sad experience of attending the cremation of a friend who died unexpectedly and wished to be cremated within 24 hours.

I used to think and tell people that cremation was the most practical and affordable choice when it comes to disposing of our earthly remains, once we get our heavenly recall. Last Monday I got the shock of my life when I learned that the cremation service, use of a chapel, but NO coffin provided, costs TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS. My sister Marissa told me that’s cheaper because there was no rented casket, which would have raised the price to 350K.

I have not had the chance to “survey” funeral parlors and memorial parks, but if they all have the same price range for the same service, perhaps our Congressmen and senators should spend their time investigating the matter.

For starters, members of Congress should also ask to open the books of funeral parlors and memorial parks in order for the public to understand if what these companies charge are justifiable, or are they predatory and opportunistic given the emotional vulnerability of widows and orphans.

How did we come to a point where funeral parlors or memorial parks can get away with charging the equivalent of two years tuition fee at a private school, more than what a surgeon charges for an appendectomy or removal of a gall bladder, or enough to send someone through two years nursing education in a government university.

What are the components of these funeral costs and charges and can we at least make sure that both the local and national government are not making money on the painful loss of their constituents or citizens? I sincerely would hate to find out that the BIR is charging VAT even on funerals and cremations or that every city or town collects sales tax and charges a tax on death!

During the All Saints/All Souls day holiday, I heard about an unnamed legislator or congressman who filed a bill to legislate funeral assistance to the poor. While I praise the Congressman’s compassion and initiative to help the poor, I could not help but think that Congress always think of the poor but never along with the honest to goodness taxpayers who are not necessarily rich or even “middle class”.

Many of them are simply “employed” tax-paying individuals who unfortunately don’t get the appropriate recognition and assistance from Senators and Congressmen when they write or file bills. Congress always thinks of the poor when it comes to dole outs or assistance, but never taxpayers when it comes to rationalizing laws and regulations on housing, education, public health and now, not even when it comes to funeral or burial assistance.

Why should Congress discriminate against the rich if they pay taxes and contribute to the good of our country and economy? It is criminally discriminatory to say that the rich should pay more simply because they are “rich” or that the formulation of laws and regulations are only for the benefit of the poor and not those who pay taxes, work hard, and are good stewards of wealth!

I sincerely pray that Speaker Sonny Belmonte and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile would take time and call the attention of their fellow legislators to shed their discriminatory mindset regarding formulating laws.

In the meantime, may we call the attention of Congress as well as the Department of Trade and Industry to kindly investigate the matter of irregular and exorbitant pricing for such funeral services.

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As a “freshman” in the world of Internet, email, Twitter, Facebook and the likes, my journey of discovery has been very slow due to my great fear of hackers, viruses and plain and simple mistakes I might make online.

It is however a very curious journey where I have begun to appreciate how the younger generation now communicates and how they are now mostly positive, reaffirming and encouraging.

We are collectively responsible for the face, the composition or overall impact of our communications. As a consequence we are all responsible for reminding each other about our language and emotions, particularly the degree or intensity of our written word and what they convey.

To the recipient or the innocent minds of young adult, the word HATE, the F word or similar expressions are not just words or statement of your facts. They are an attack that doubles, sometimes triples and even goes beyond your intent or comprehension. You will pay the consequence, as we all will. When a product or a channel is defiled or corrupted, people know better. They simply don’t buy it, use it, or visit it.

What I’ve noticed though is that many companies especially advertising and PR groups fail to take advantage of Emails, Facebook and Twitter when it comes to sending out invitations and announcements. Unfortunately, not all of us have the time or resource to regularly drive across town just to collect our mail. So little old me usually get your letters and invites about a month late. So if you can, please try to email and I promise to get back to you. God bless you!

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