2 Manila funeral homes face closure

The Manila city government on Thursday recommended the closure of two funeral homes in Tondo for several violations. Boyet San Gabriel, chief of the local sanitation office, identified the establishments as Punerarya San Rafael on Moriones Street and Corazon Memorial Services on Juan Luna.

Punerarya San Rafael is reportedly owned by Lourdes Cabuelo while Corazon Memorial Services is owned by Roberto dela Rosa.

In a phone interview on Thursday, San Gabriel said both establishments were found to be operating without valid business and sanitary permits, as well as health certificates for their employees. They also failed to produce any memorandum of agreement with any establishment accredited to do embalming services.

“They were given eight days to present the papers but they failed to submit any.

Punerarya San Rafael presented business and sanity permits but they were already expired,” he said.

There are currently 40 companies offering funeral services in Manila, where the local government recently stepped up inspections after one establishment, Archangel Funeral Homes, which is accredited by the police, was cited for unsanitary practices. —Aie Balagtas See