Makati government to build columbarium-crematory

The city government of Makati will build its long-planned columbarium and crematory offering free cremation and inurnment to residents.

In an interview, city legal officer Michael Camiña said the city government already has an initial P50-million allotment to build the columbarium-crematory complex dating back to the mayoralty of Junjun Binay, brother of incumbent mayor Abby Binay.

The complex will be located across the St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Church on Constellation Street in Bel-Air.

The city government plans to start construction next year. Mayor Binay promised to realize this project in her election campaign.

According to the initial development plan from the city engineering department, four three-story buildings with landscaping and parking areas will be constructed.

The two front buildings will house more than 3,000 vaults, while a third back building will hold more than 14,000 vaults. Each vault can hold several urns.

The buildings will all have a viewing area for the bereaved, space for concessionaires and elevators for persons with disability.

Each vault will be made of aluminium frame and box, inside glass cover with key lock, granite cover on the perimeter, and granite lock and screw cap for better hold. Book-type urns will be used for economy of space.

At the center will be a chapel and an administration building, which will also hold the office and the crematorium. —DEXTER CABALZA