Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill  No.
Introduced by HON. ALAN "ALDu" R. DUJALl
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article  11 Section  11 of the Constitution declares that the State values the dignity of every
human person and guarantees full respect for human rights -a statement that serves as one of the
foundations of good governance in modern society.  In the span of the lifetime of every Filipino, the
government upholds this tenet with utmost vigilance as it performs its mandate to provide citizens a
comfortable and dignified life.
In 2021, a total of 879,429 deaths were registered  in the  Philippines, which is a significant
increase  from  613,936  in  2020,  and  620,414  in  2019.  It  is  common  practice  for  relatives  of the
deceased  who  are  qualified  indigents  to  receive  burial  assistance  from  Local  Government  Units
through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Many other government agencies such
as  the   Government   Service   Insurance  System,   Social   Security  System,   the   Philippine   Charity
Sweepstakes  Office,  the  Overseas  Workers  Welfare  Administration,  and  the  Philippine  Veterans
Affairs Office provide the same assistance, subject to the respective office's mandatory contribution
and/ or documentary requirements.
The purpose of this act is to expand and institutionalize the provision of burial assistance to
every  Filipino  citizen  who  dies  within  Philippine  territory  regardless  of  status,  background,  and
profession. Because the nature of burial expenses is urgent and inescapable, this act aims to expedite
the process for this request through the requirement of minimal documents. This provision will serve
as the government's final act of financial and public service to taxpaying Filipinos who unequivocally
deserve  decent  burials-in  pursuit of reaffirming their human dignity even  in death,  and  to some
degree; easing the pain of their loss for their loved ones.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
I  R.  DUJALl
Representative
2nd District, Davao Del Norte


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
N INETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
Hou.se'`BH|No.S!26
Introduced by HON. ALAN "ALDU" R. DUJALI
"AN ACT MANDATING THE PROVISION 0F BURIAL ASSISTANCE IN TI+E AMOUNT OF
TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 20,000.00) FOR EVERY FILIPINO CITIZEN WHO DIES WITHIN
PHILIPPINE TERRITORY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Representatives in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short 71ft/e. -This Act shall be known as the "Burial Assistance Act of 2022''.
SEC.  2.  Coverage.  - This  Act  shall  cover  every  Filipino  citizen  who  dies  within  Philippine
territory.
SEC. 3. Dqcrrft;or} a/ Bun.a/ Assi.st8rrce. For purposes of this Act, "Burial Assistance" shall be
understood  to  mean  as a  cash grant given  for the  purpose  of paying the  burial  expenses of the
deceased Filipino citizen.
SEC. 4.  Provi.si.on oJ BurJ.a/ Assi.stance.  -Every  Filipino citizen who  die of whatever causes
within Philippine territory shall be eligible for a provision of burial assistance in the amount of twenty
thousand pesos (PHP 20,000.00).
SEC. 5. A/fgi.A/e Aeci.pjent oJ Bur7.a/ Assl.stgrlce. - The eligible recipients are the next of kin
according to the ff. order: 1} Spouse if capable; 2) Child or; 3) Closest living relative. In the absence of
any direct living relative or in the case of multiple claimants, the Department of Social Welfare and
Development will determine the authorized recipient.
SEC.6.Rap«frementstodeaefreBun.a/AssJst8nce.-Theeligibleorauthorizedrecipientmust
present  the ff.:  1)  Death  certificate  issued  by the  local  hospital,  local  health  unit  or whichever  is
applicable; and 2) Proof of relationship with the deceased -the capable spouse must present marriage
certificate and the child must present birth certificate.


To facilitate timely claims, the certifying local hospital or health unit must release the death certificate
without delay.
SEC. 7. Approprt.oti.ons. The burial assistance provision shall be charged to the budget of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development given in a fiscal year.
SEC.  8.  /mp/ementf'rig  Au/es  or]d  Begq/ut;ons.  The  Department  of  Social  Welfare  and
Development,  in  coordination  with  the  Department  of  Interior  and  Local  Government  and  the
Department of Budget and Management shall, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act,
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 9. Seprmbfro/ Cfo«se. - Provisions herein which may be declared unconstitutional shall
not revoke the effectivity and enforcement of other provisions of this Act.
SEC.10. Repca/ing C/ause.  -All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, and
other issuances, or part or parts thereof,  which  are  inconsistent with the  provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SEC.11. Efty;ttry Cfouse. -This Act shalt take effect after five (15) days from its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever date
comes earlier.
Approved,