Tabuk City, Kalinga – Indigent families in Tanudan will soon receive ₱15,000 in burial assistance following the final approval of the municipality's Burial Aid Ordinance by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Kalinga during its regular session on Tuesday, July 7.
The approval paves the way for the implementation of a permanent burial assistance program designed to help families cope with funeral expenses following the death of a loved one.
The measure received the green light after the SP Committee on Rules and Ethics, chaired by Board Member Atty. Christopher Donaal, completed its review and recommended its approval.
A copy of the committee report obtained by Guru Press Cordillera from a legislative staff member stated that the proposed ordinance complies with all legal and administrative requirements governing local legislation.
The committee further emphasized that the measure is not only legally compliant but also essential to strengthening the municipality's delivery of social services.
"After a thorough review, the committee finds that the proposed ordinance complies with all necessary legal and administrative standards...The measure is essential for the municipality of Tanudan as it addresses the delivery of vital services...The committee respectfully recommends that this report be adopted and the proposed ordinance be approved for enactment," the committee report states.
Following deliberations, the Provincial Board, presided over by Vice Governor Atty. Dave Q. Odiem, unanimously approved the ordinance.
Safety net for indigent families
The ordinance institutionalizes a burial assistance program that will provide ₱15,000 to qualified indigent families in Tanudan to help defray funeral expenses during times of bereavement.
In an earlier interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Tanudan Vice Mayor Antonio Jr. Basungit said the proposal was initiated by Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag, who said this will bring financial relief to grieving families in town, before being endorsed to the Sangguniang Bayan for deliberation.
Basungit explained that the mayor originally proposed ₱20,000 in burial assistance. However, the amount was adjusted to ₱15,000 after the Local Finance Committee considered the municipality's financial capacity as Tanudan transitions to a third-class municipality.
“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 the suggestion met Piman and the local finance committee, and I cut it to P15K. Ket, as I said, madama paylang deliberations,” relayed Basungit.
With the Provincial Board's final approval, municipal officials are targeting the implementation of the program on January 1, 2027.
Once implemented, the ordinance is expected to provide immediate financial relief to indigent families facing the high cost of funeral services, ensuring that assistance is readily available during one of life's most difficult moments while strengthening Tanudan's social welfare programs.
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