Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, __ 398 4

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA
Reps, NERI J. COLMENARES and CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE

AN ACT
GRANTING FIFTY PERCENT (50%) DISCOUNTS FROM.
FUNERAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT FAMILIES AND GRANTING FREE
FUNERAL SERVICES FOR EXTREMELY POOR FAMILIES NATIONWIDE,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the Philippines, dying has become as costly as living itself, ‘This is because most Filipinos
already live lives of utter poverty and still die poor and indebted till the end. Funeral services
generally are expensive, a stark and difficult realit
impoverished Filipinos.

A survey done on funeral services by the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning (2005)
revealed that the average funeral service package was twenty five thousand pesos (P 25,000)
Memorial lots in public and private cemeteries cost and showed an average of fifty thousand
pesos (PhP 50,000) for lot package including succeeding lease payments. Decent funeral
include the transport of the corpse, provision of casket, embalming, interment and conduct to
the church and/or to the cemetery.

‘Traditionally, most Filipino families hold the funeral wake at home. ‘The lack of space in many
residential areas, however does not restrict the setting up of funeral wakes even on the sides of
the street adjacent to the dead man’s residence.

‘There are also instances where a funeral wake lasts for more than a week only because there ate
not enough funds mainly gathered through abilay (donations) to cover for the expenses incurted.

Death to one’s family member becomes doubly tragic for those who earn a measly Php 429.00 a
day (in the National Capital Region). According to the National Statistical Coordination Board,
the number of poor families in relation to the total population remains unchanged since 2006.
‘That translates to 28 out 100 Filipino families, or 25 million Filipinos, living on less than P50 a
day in 2012. This wage structure and economic data demonstrate that our people can neither
sustain thei daily needs let alone able to shoulder the funeral expenses of their departed loved
ones.


Itis the duty of the State to provide for the welfare and security of its citizens. This measure
aims to provide immediate relief to the poor, especially during the loss of their loved ones.

‘The passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

Approved,

Rep. NERI J. COLMENARES ner eh Babe eer
ul

Bayan MunaParty-List

Bayan Muna Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

(3534

HOUSE BILL No. __

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA
Reps. NERI J. COLMENARES and
CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE

AN ACT
GRANTING FIFTY PERCENT (50%) DISCOUNTS FROM.
FUNERAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT FAMILIES AND GRANTING FREE
FUNERAL SERVICES FOR EXTREMELY POOR FAMILIES NATIONWIDE,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and Hlouse of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1, Short Title, - This Act shall be known as "Funeral Services Discount Act of 2013."

Section 2, Declaration of Policy. - Itis the policy of the State (0 promote a just and dynamic
order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people
from poverty through policies that provide adequate services, promote full employment, a
rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. As part of fulfilling this, the State
services to indigent families.

Dei

shall give enough discounts from fun

Section 3. Definition of Terms. ~The following terms as used in this Act shall mean the
following:

(2) "Indigent Family" refers to a family whose monthly income is equivalent to the
minimum wage set in the region where they reside.

(b) “Extremely Poor Family” refers to a family whose monthly income is less than the
minimum wage set in the region where they reside.

(©) "Funeral Services" refer to preparation of funeral documents, embalming, interment
and burial services or cremation services, including the provision of a casket, offered by funeral
homes offering such services. Furthermore, the standard package of funeral services shall be

1,)A Junior Lizo Casket and a cart to bring the body inside the chapel

2.)For at least 5 days of Vigil


3.) A chapel with at least 20 seating capacity with air-conditioning systems, lightings
and arania

4)An ambulance to be utilized within 20-25 kilometer radius ot within Metro
Manila by the Funeral home. If the discount will be availed in the province, it
should be included in the package.

5,)Documentation

Section 4, Free funeral services for Extremely Poor Families- Free funeral services shall be
provided for Extremely Poor Families by funeral homes anywhere in the country. Provided, said
funeral service ot the package selected by the beneficiary does not exceed the cost of the Funeral
Home's minimum faneral service package

Section 5. Discounts for Indigent Families on Funeral Services.- A fifty percent (50%)
discount on funeral services shall be granted to indigent families by funeral homes anywhere in
the country. Provided, said funeral service or the package selected by the beneficiary does not
exceed the cost of the Funeral Home’s minimum funeral service package. The grant of a
discount under this Act is without prejudice to the right of the beneficiary to avail of other
financial assistance given by the government.

Section 6, Requirements for Availing Discount, - Before an indigent family ot extremely
poor family can avail of the discount on funeral services, the following documents shall be
prepared for submission: death certificate, funeral contract and a certificate as indigent ot
extremely poor beneficiary from the barangay or the local social welfare offices of the local
government unit(s) (LGUs) or from the DSWD regional or national offices that they belong to
indigent families as defined under Section 3. Provided, however, that the certification shall not
be a requirement before any member of the family of the deceased could avail the services of the
funeral homes.

Section 7, Reimbursement or Tax Credit. - Funeral Homes granting discounts ot free services
to indigent bene! ot extremely poor beneficiaries may reimburse the cost of the discount
fom any regional offices of the DSWD upon the approval of the Regional Director ot convert
the same as tax credits provided that proper certification as to the veracity of the claim is
certified true and correct by the DSWD. ‘The tax credit may be used for a period not exceeding
five (6) years from the day the discount was given or from the date appearing in the official
receipt.

Section 8. Implementing Agency. - The DSWD shall implement the provision of this Act and
issue the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of this Act.

Section 9. Appropriations. The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall
be charged against the allocation in the General Approptiations Act (GAA) of the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Section 10. Separability Clause. If any portion ot provision of the Act is declared void or
unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provisions hereof shall not be affected by such
declaration.

Section 14, Repealing Clause. - Any provision of law ot regulations inconsistent herewith is
hereby repealed, revoked or modified accordingly.


Section 12, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (18) days after its publication in nwo
(2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,