Columbary instead of cemetery in shrine: Tom

INSTEAD of a cemetery, why not a columbary in Osmeña Shrine?

Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district said the shrine in barangay Kalunasan would also be an ideal site for a columbary or a vault with niches for urns containing the ashes of departed loved ones.

The congressman floated the idea, saying this will ease fears of water contamination of the groundwater by residents.

Osmeña said he doesn’t agree that a cemetery will pollute the groundwater, nor devalue the prices of neighboring properties.

He said it is expected that the residents will be concerned about water contamination.

“Will the cemetery devalue prices of real estates (in the area)? I don’t think so. Anywhere you go, you will encounter all these issues,” Osmeña said.

A homeowners association registered its objection to a proposed cemetery site being financed by the Evangelical Christian Coalition of Cebu Inc. in Osmeña shrine.

The latest objection came from senior citizens groups.

In last Wednesday’s City Council session, senior citizen Jose Gapas said a substantial number of trees will be cut to make room for the cemetery project.

“Give us an extension of our lives. Retain those trees. When you become senior citizens, you will also need those trees for the extension of your lives,” he told the council.

Osmeña said a public hearing wasn’t required for the passage of a resolution that authorized him to confirm the donation during his tenure as mayor.

He said he never thought that Osmeña Shrine was located within barangay Lahug when he authorized its donation to the group.

“No one ever suspected that it is part of barangay Lahug. But it does not matter,” Osmeña told Cebu Daily News.

The council already asked the City Planning and Development Office to look into Lahug’s claims that the Osmeña Shrine is located within their barangay. Correspondent Edison delos Angeles