Gov’t urged to regulate operations of crematoriums

A progressive lawmaker has called on the Duterte administration to regulate the operations of crematoriums to stop unscrupulous operators from jacking up cremation fees up to P50,000. Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said he received reports that some private crematoriums charge higher rates if the deceased had COVID-19. “Since the queues for cremation are long, the deceased’s kin are charged storage fees while awaiting a schedule,” he said on Friday. Zarate said a crematorium reportedly jacked up its fee for COVID-19 cases to P50,000, twice of its regular rate of P25,000. Storage fees vary per crematorium. —Julie M. Aurelio