Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Tabuk, during the Regular session on Thursday, October 14, 2021, moved to endorse to the Committee on Rules the request of Barangay Balong prohibiting the burial of COVID-19 and non-COVID related deaths from other barangays of the city at the Balong Public Cemetery.
Barangay Balong officials requested for the evaluation, deliberation as well as approval of a proposed ordinance through a letter dated August 31, 2021, but was only accommodated on October 14 as SP-Tabuk recessed for three weeks in which the last Regular Session was held on September 16.
According to the barangay officials, the matter was tackled on August 25 during their meeting to respond to the request of their constituents concerning the burial of remains in the public cemetery.
In their ordinance, they cited that personal protective equipment (PPE) of those conducting the entombing, particularly the remains of COVID-19 related deaths, are found scattered in the cemetery premises.
Additionally, it was also stated that the standard pit hole as required was not complied, causing panic among community members in Balong.
The guidelines of the management of the dead with COVID-19 requires that the grave must be in a location where the water table is more than 2 meters deep from the natural ground surface and more than twenty-five (25) meter radius of any residential area. The body must be buried at least 1.5 meters below ground level.
The barangay officials also cited that the cemetery is already crowded aside from its being near the households.
Meantime, the officials informed that a public hearing was already conducted to consult with the constituents of Barangay Balong.
Once approved by the city council and posting of it in conspicuous areas is made, the barangay ordinance shall take effect.
The City LGU, as recalled, has started digging graves on other cemeteries in Tabuk for COVID-19 related deaths as they observed that the burial lot in Balong cemetery is almost full and that the number of Covid-19 deaths in the city increased.
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