Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HoUSE BILL No.10536
RECEIVED
=   DA"  JU»   1 9  20
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE CHEENO MIGUEL D. ALMARIO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The  Philippine  Statistics  Authority  reports  a  daily  average  of 2,409  registered
deaths or a crude rate of eight deaths for every 1,000 Filipinos in 2021. In the context of
Filipino culture, where family is a social structure valued in high regard, where ties and
relationships  are  nurtured,  and where traditions  are  passed  on through generations,
death is one of the most significant events in every Filipino family. For many Filipinos, a
family  member's  death  becomes  an  avenue  for  further  strengthening  family  ties  by
showing solidarity, respect, religiosity, and affection in the presence of the deceased.
However, death comes at a steep cost that the majority of Filipinos cannot afford.
Although the philippine ranking in the Quality of Death Index by the Economist Intelligent
Report is much improved in 2021 at 38th position, it is still a long way from an ideal place
when it comes to providing our people with quality end-of-life care. Along with all the
expenses that most families struggle to pay - such as medical and hospital expenses,
including incidental spending for cases involving accidents and property damage - in the
end, even a decent burial is considered a luxury.
Considering that preparations for funeral service have several layers, with each
entailing expenses - from acquiring legal documents like the death certificate and burial
permit to preparation for memorial service and wake that may last a few days, and to the
interment of the deceased -this bill proposes to provide financial assistance of P20,000
to the family of a deceased Filipino whose death occurred in the Philippine territory and
whose family is identified as indigent. This is to help defray incidental expenses in the
burial  and  funeral  of  every  poverty-stricken  Filipino  family  experiencing  extreme
financial challenges while still grieving for their loss.
The proposed measure aims to make this phase easier for the family of the deceased
struggling financially and in recognition of the depth of importance our culture and family
put in Filipino traditions.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
:effiB
CHEENO
. ALMARIO
RepcesQBquive
2nd District, Davao Oriental


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.1G536
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE CHEEN0 MIGUEL D. ALMARIO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE PROVISION OF BURIAL ASSISTANCE
0F TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 20,000.00)
FOR EVERY FILIPINO CITIZEN WHO DIES WITHIN
THE PHILIPPINE TERRITORY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
1                 SECTION.1. ShoJ.I rl.tJe. -This Act shall be known as the "Burial Assistance
2       Act of2023".
3                 SEC.  2.  Covemge.  -This Act  shall  cover  every  Filipino  citizen  who  dies
4      within philippine territory.
5                 SEC. 3. Def inition of Burial Assistance. -For purposes of this Act, ``BUT±aL\
6      Assistance"  shall be  understood to mean  a  cash grant given to  pay the burial
7       expenses of the deceased Filipino citizen.
8                 SEC. 4. Provz.sz.on a/B«rz-aJ Assz-stance. -Every Filipino citizen who dies of
9      whatever causes within the philippine territory shall be eligible for a provision of
10       burial assistance ofTwentyThousand pesos (PHP 20,000.00).
11                SEC. 5. Eligible Recipient of Burial Assistance. -The e\tg"e recipients aLre
12       the next of kin accordingto the following order: 1) Spouse if capable; 2) Child or;
13       3) Closest living relative. In the absence of any direct living relative or in the case
14      of multiple  claimants, the  Department of Social Welfare and  Development will
15       determine the authorized recipient.
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16                SEC.  6.  Requirements  to  Receive  Burial  Assistance.  -  The  chgrb\e  oT
17      authorized recipient must present the following: 1) A death certificate issued by
18       the local hospital, local health unit, or whichever is applicable; and 2)  Proof of
19      relationship  with  the  deceased.  The  capable  spouse  must present a  marriage
20      certificate and the child must present a birth certificate.
21                 To facilitate timely claims, the certifying local hospital or health unit must
22      release the death certificate without delay.
23                 SEC. 7. Appraprl.fltl.our. -The burial assistance provision shall be charged
24      to the budget of the Department of social welfare and Development given in a
25       fiscalyear.
26                SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The DepaLrtment o£ SoctaLl
27      Welfare and Development, in coordination with the Department of Interior and
28       Local Government and the Department of Budget and Management shall, within
29      thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the implementing rules
30      and regulations to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act.
31                 SEC.  9.  Separrabl.JJ.ty  CJawse.  -  Provisions  herein  that  may  be  declared
32      unconstitutional  shall  not  revoke  the  effectivity  and  enforcement  of  other
33       provisionsofthisAct.
34                SEC.10. RepcaJing clause, -All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
35      regulations, and other issuances, or part or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
36      with  the  provisions  of  this  Act  are  hereby  repealed,  amended,  or  modified
37       accordingly.
38                SEC.11. E#ectivfty clause.  -This Act shall take  effect fifteen  (15)  days
39       following  its  publication  in  the  Official  Gazette  or  in  a  newspaper  of general
40       circulation.
41                 Approved,
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