‘Burial assistance ordinance to help iTanudan families with funeral cost under final deliberation’ - SB Tanudan

Banagao, Tanudan – Residents of Tanudan may soon benefit from a P15,000 burial assistance program as the Sangguniang Bayan, headed by Vice Mayor Antonio Jr. Basungit, continues deliberations on a proposed ordinance aimed at helping ease funeral expenses for all iTanudans.

The proposed measure is titled, “An Ordinance Institutionalizing the Burial Assistance Program for Indigent Residents of the Municipality of Tanudan, Kalinga, Providing Funds Thereof, and for Other Purposes.”

According to the ordinance, many families in the municipality struggle to shoulder burial expenses whenever a loved one passes away. Through the proposed measure, the local government aims to help ease the financial burden of vulnerable residents by providing burial assistance.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Vice Mayor Basungit said the proposal was originally initiated by Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag, adding that the assistance was initially intended only for coffin expenses. However, the proposal later underwent deliberation in the legislative body, where concerns were raised regarding existing benefits already being received by some constituents.

“That was a proposal of the mayor himself. Diay main purpose na idi damo ket para iti kabaong lang kuma, then idi immay kanyami in the legislative, may deliberation na. May certain issues raised—dati gamin nga addan ti benefit dagitoy constituents tayo. Like dagitoy senior citizens mi, addan ti existing nga 3,500 nga benefits da ket kasla mai-top up idiay burial assistance,” he said.

The legislator added that qualified beneficiaries are expected to receive the full P15,000 assistance, while any excess burial expenses will be shouldered by the family. He also shared that the original proposal was set at P20,000 but was later reduced because of the LGU’s current financial limitations.

“Maited nga buo diay P15,000 and the rest, nu manpay agkurang, ket diay family ti beneficiary tun ti mang-shoulder. Pero diay original nga proposal, P20K gamin ngem diay LGU capacity gamin tatta, most especially ta adda ti transition ti third class ket medyo maipit ti funds. So ti suggestion met piman ti Local Finance Committee mi ket i-cut me to P15K. Ket as I said, madama paylang deliberations,” he added.

The proposed burial assistance program will cover all qualified residents of Tanudan, with implementation being eyed by 2027 to avoid budget realignment amid ongoing strict fiscal measures advised by the DILG. Basungit, along with other municipal officials, hopes to have the program ready by January 1, 2027.