ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanews/28 September) – Rent a coffin?
A barangay where half of the population is poor, according to its barangay captain, will launch next month “Punerarya sa Barangay, Rent-a-coffin” program for the benefit of the village’s poor families.
Abraham Tan, Sta. Maria barangay chair, said the program will be launched in partnership with a Manila-based firm known as the Rent-a-Coffin Enterprises.
Tan said the barangay council of Sta. Maria and the Manila-based firm signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Wednesday, Sept. 24, for the implementation of the program.
The MOA is supported by a barangay council resolution, he said.
Tan said a funeral parlor to be managed by the Rent-a-Coffin Enterprises will be set up in Barangay Sta. Maria and will offer a P7,000 package that would include embalming, interment, ordinary coffin and a metal casket and the use of the funeral car.”
He said the metal casket will be used to encase the ordinary coffin to provide an elegant look.
He said the metal casket will be removed during interment to be used again by any family who would avail of the package.
He said there will be screening process to ensure that the family that will avail of the package is a resident of the barangay and is really indigent.
He said an indigent family receives burial assistance of P6,000 from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
Tan added the barangay council will shoulder the balance of P1,000 cost of the package.
The barangay of Sta. Maria is located north of this city with a population of 25,000.
Tan said around 12,000 residents out of the total population are poor. (MindaNews)
