Cebu City gov’t to provide aid to families who lost kin to COVID-19
CEBU CITY––The Cebu City government will extend financial assistance to families whose loved ones died of COVID-19.
The money, however, will go directly to the funeral homes that handled the bodies, according to City Councilor David Tumulak, the proponent of the program.
“We want the money to go to the funeral homes so the grieving families will not be inconvenienced in processing many documents,” he said.
Families can choose either the P16,000 assistance that comes with a coffin and free services for the dead or the P35,000 for cremation.
Mayor Edgardo Labella approved the release of P15 million to help defray the expenses of families who lost their loved ones to COVID-19.
The P15-million budget was sourced from the trust fund (P5 million) and quick response fund (P10 million) of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
To avail of the program, relatives should present a death certificate to prove that their deceased loved ones died of COVID-19 and are residents of Cebu City.
“We understand how difficult it is to lose a loved one. They don’t only think about the hospital dues but also the cost of the funeral,” Tumulak said.
“What we are doing is a huge help for bereaved families. At least we can help them and ease the burden they are carrying,” he added.
Tumulak earlier requested the Office of the Mayor to release burial assistance to the families of persons who passed away because of COVID-19.
“It is only proper that we find ways to help our fellow Cebuanos, especially in this time where they do not only have to contend with the health implications of being hit by the virus but the financial implication as well,” he said.
As of Aug. 31, Cebu City has 4,276 active cases of COVID-19, according to the Department of Health in Central Visayas.
Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the city had recorded 37,832 cases with 32,387 recoveries and 1,169 deaths.
Cebu City remains under modified enhanced community quarantine until Sept. 7.
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