QC exec says lack of coordination led to city hall’s refusal to turn over COVID-19 cadavers to a funeral home

MANILA, Philippines — A Quezon City official clarified claims regarding the alleged refusal of the city government to turn over cadavers of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients to a funeral parlor that has offered to cremate the bodies.

Assistant City Administrator for Operations Alberto Kimpo made the clarification after Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor claimed that the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) had asked for help in the cremation of the remains of 12 COVID-19 patients after the hospital was told that crematoriums accredited by the Quezon City government were already full.

However, when a funeral parlor offered to cremate the bodies, Defensor said a certain Carol Parohinog, who is a Quezon City hall social service official, stopped LCP from turning over the remains.

Kimpo, however, said that LCP failed to inform the local government about the unclaimed cadavers.

“As per its protocol, LCP only releases bodies that are claimed by a relative. However, it appears that no relatives were coming forward to claim the bodies,” Kimpo said in a statement.

Kimpo added that upon learning about the reports of unclaimed cadavers, the local government contacted the LCP and notified the family members of the deceased.

When the families were contacted, it was found that only five of the 12 remains were Quezon City residents.

“Cadavers of all QC residents have already been claimed and released as of Saturday,” Kimpo said.

Kimpo, likewise, said that Defensor should have verified his information first with LCP.

Carol Patalinghog, assistant chief of the Welfare and Relief Division of the city’s Social Services and Development Department (SSDD), said that funeral parlors in the city need to undergo accreditation for health and safety purposes.

Patalinghog said that the funeral parlor that Defensor was referring to is not accredited by the local government and has no existing business permit.

“Since the city is shouldering the expenses for funeral and cremation services, it would be for the best interest of the local government if it requires funeral parlors to get accreditation,” Patalinghog said.