Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2431

Introduced by Representative Roy M. Gonzales

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution explicitly mandates that “The State shall
promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies
that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. (Article II, Section 9)
Every funeral shall be in keeping with the social position of the deceased. (Title
X, Article 306 of the Civil Code)

The undersigned representative lauds the cash aid grant by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) by offering a one-time
cash payment in the amount of P 10,000 for burial and death assistance to eligible
indigent families.’ The amount can cover casket and funeral services, expenses
associated with the wake, burial plot, or interment, and transportation fees for
conveying the deceased’s remains. The noble intention is to assist in any way
feasible, but the economic challenges faced by these indigent families are
unfortunately insurmountable.

Funeral ceremonies can cost P10,000 for a budget funeral parlor, at least
P15,000 to P250,000 for mid-range, and as much as P500,000 for high-end.’ With
the prevailing inflation, these rates can further increase to the detrimental
financial burden of the families who grieve their lost loved one while seeking
economic means to clear funeral and burial expenses.

This bill aims to institutionalize a social protection mechanism to provide
financial relief to qualified beneficiaries in times of bereavement with the
partnership of accredited funeral service providers and local government units

* https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/03/12/2339799/pinoys-ill-prepared-high-cost-dying,
2 https://dswdcashassistance.ph/dswd-funeral-burial-assistance/


(LGUs) and allocate the necessary funds to subsidize the cost of the program.
The measure grants a fifty percent (50%) discount on funeral services to indigent
families and free services to extremely poor families as certified by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). By its passage, the
State reaffirms its duty to extend an inclusive public service by providing
support, not only in life, but also in honoring the dead with dignity.

Similar versions of this bill were filed in the 16, 17, 18", and 19th
Congresses, and the present proponent acknowledges the hard work and
wisdom of his predecessors.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this proposed measure
is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

2491

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Roy M. Gonzales

AN ACT
PROVIDING A FIFTY PERCENT (50%) DISCOUNT FROM FUNERAL
SERVICES TO INDIGENT FAMILIES AND FREE FUNERAL SERVICES TO
EXTREMELY POOR FAMILIES NATIONWIDE, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Libreng Libing Act of
2025.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to promote a just and dynamic social order that will guarantee the independence
and prosperity of the nation and free the people from poverty through efficient
policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a ri
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. As part of fulfil
this, the State shall provide discounts on funeral services to indigent famili
free funeral services to extremely poor families.

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

(a) “Poor” refers to families whose income falls below the poverty threshold as
defined by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development
(DEPDEV) and/ or who cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide
their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing, or other
essential amenities of life, as defined under Republic Act No. 8425,


otherwise known as the “Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act.” The
Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) established under Republic
Act No. 11315 of the local government unit, with the supervision of the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), shall be used to determine the degree
of indigency of the family, whether indigent or extremely poor;

(b) “Funeral Services” refer to the preparation of funeral documents,
embalming, viewing, internment or burial services, cremation and
inurnment services, including the provision of a casket or urn, as the case
may be, offered by mortuaries. The standard package of funeral services
will cover:

1. Transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the mortuary for
embalming and applying cosmetics within a 25-kilometer radius of the
mortuary;

2. An ordinary plain casket and casket stand for viewing of the body or
urn in case of cremation;

3. Two (2) to three (3) days of viewing outside the funeral chapels, such as
the Barangay Hall or residence of the family;

4, Use of funeral viewing equipment, including lighting and arania;

5. Use of a funeral vehicle for interment within a 25-kilometer radius from
the place of viewing to the place of burial; and

6. Unless for compelling reason, interment only on weekdays and on
official time, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m, until 5:00 p.m., except on
regular holidays.

SECTION 4. Free Funeral Services for Extremely Poor Families. - Free funeral
services shall be provided for extremely poor families by accredited mortuaries
anywhere in the country. The said free services shall be given to only one (1)
family member per month per mortuary branch. Provided, That said funeral
service does not exceed the cost of the mortuary's minimum funeral service
package. Provided, further, That the grant of free funeral services under this Act is
without prejudice to the right of the beneficiary to avail of upgraded funeral
services given by the mortuary. The difference in cost shall be borne by the
family of the deceased.


SECTION 5. Discounted Funeral Services for Indigent Families, - A fifty percent
(50%) discount on funeral services shall be granted to indigent families by
mortuaries anywhere in the country but would only be applicable to at-need
funeral services only. Provided, That said funeral service does not exceed the cost
of the mortuary’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 Free or Discounted Funeral Services. -
Before an indigent or extremely poor family can avail of the free or discounted
funeral services, the following documents shall be submitted: (a) certificate of
indigency issued by the barangay or the local social welfare office of the local
government unit (LGU), stating whether the family is either indigent or
extremely poor 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 of the services of the mortuary; (b) death certificate; and (c)
funeral contract between the beneficiary-family, the accredited mortuary, and the
authorized DSWD personnel.

SECTION 7. Reimbursement. ~ Mortuaries granting discounted or free services
to indigent or extremely poor beneficiaries may seek reimbursement for the cost
of the services from any regional office of the DSWD upon the approval of the
Regional Director. The reimbursement will be based on the stipulations of the
signed contract between the poor family, the mortuary, and the authorized
DSWD personnel.

SECTION 8. Lead Agency. - The DSWD shall be the lead agency in the
implementation of the provisions of this Act and shall engage the funeral
services of mortuaries in the country.

SECTION 9. Role of Local Government Units (LGUs). - Notwithstanding the
preceding section, the local government units are enjoined to fulfill their
devolved function as mandated by Republic Act No. 856, otherwise known as the
Sanitation Code, in providing assistance to indigent and extremely poor families
in their respective areas at their own expense. Further, the LGUs will waive fees
and charges, which will include burial or interment permits, cremation permits,
transfer permits, disinterment permits, and the cost of death certificate.

SECTION 10. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the allocation in the General


Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).

SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of DSWD shall, in coordination with
the DILG, LGUs, and the Philippine Mortuary Association, promulgate and issue
the rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 12, Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall
remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, and
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,