QC gov’t to penalize barangay execs, funeral parlors if wake held at home

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government on Wednesday warned to impose sanctions against barangay officials and funeral parlor personnel who would allow to hold wakes at home, which could cause mass gatherings and possible spread of coronavirus disease infection.

This after Barangay Community Relations Department (BCRD) head Ricky Corpuz said they received reports that some barangay permitted funeral parlors to conduct wakes inside homes.

In a statement, Mayor Joy Belmonte said barangay officials and funeral homes personnel will pay fines or face imprisonment if they violate Ordinance No. SP-2907, S-2000, which bans organizing wakes at home.

“What we are trying to avoid is crowded wakes where a potential surge can occur. While we understand that we should accord grieving families the right to pay their last respects, the virus is still there to wreak havoc and could ruin even our Christmas celebration. So if we can limit the wake to the immediate family and in a controlled environment, then we can avert the spread of the virus,” Belmonte said.

Under the ordinance,  wakes are allowed for two days at the funeral parlor, community mortuaries or chapels if the deceased is negative for the coronavirus disease. Also, only the immediate family members are allowed to attend the burial or cremation.

Quezon City-based funeral parlors that would violate the ordinance will be slapped with P5,000 worth of fines per violation and revocation of business permit, Belmonte said.

The mayor also noted that the ordinance penalizes violators with a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months upon discretion of the court.

The Quezon City government, likewise, reminded its constituents that wakes are only allowed at funeral parlors, not inside homes.

“We remind the family of the deceased that wakes are strictly allowed only in funeral parlors and not at home. It hasn’t changed since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) days,” Corpuz said in the same statement.

“Marami kasing funeral parlor ang nagsasabi na kapag may clearance ng barangay ay papayag kaming gawin ang burol sa bahay,” he added.

(There are a lot of funeral parlors saying that if they get barangay clearance, they will conduct the wakes at the family’s homes.)

JPV