THE Cebu City Government has tapped the help of the Archdiocese of Cebu as the City is planning to construct tombs in four Catholic cemeteries in the city.
City Councilor David Tumulak, tasked to coordinate with the Archdiocese and cemetery owners, said they plan to build 290 new tombs per cemetery.
The Catholic cemeteries are located in Barangays Barrio Luz, Talamban, Carreta and Calamba.
Tumulak said the City asked for 140 square meters in each cemetery where the structure that will house the tombs will be built.
He said the construction would start within the week if Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma approves the request of the City.
Acting Mayor Michael Rama already signed the request letter addressed to Palma.
Tumulak said for the part of the City Council, it needs to approve a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the project.
He said the construction materials will be sourced from the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).
City Councilor Jerry Guardo, infrastructure committee chairman, said the DEPW personnel already conducted a clearing operation on the proposed sites.
Tumulak also said the City Health Department (CHD) has established a referral system to assist bereaved families looking for available burial ground.
Tumulak advised the bereaved families to visit the cadaver section of the CHD office so they will be guided to the area their deceased family member will be buried.
The referral system is being established to fast-track the burial of the cadavers. Tumulak said Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) chief implementer for the Visayas Melquiades Feliciano had asked the City to bury or dispose of the cadavers of Covid-positive individuals within 12 hours.
Tumulak emphasized that the referral system applies to everyone, whether the death is related to Covid-19 or not.
“This is a (form of) support to our cemeteries so they can accommodate, (and) we can give decent burial to our Covid-19 victims,” said Tumulak. (JJL)