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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE, ERIC G. YAP, 
and EDVIC G. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The proliferation of the COVID-19 pandemic has skyrocketed the demand for public 
crematoriums due to taking cognizance of the implementation of safety health 
protocols, even on cadavers. Lacking such facilities, families have then and now 
resorted to private providers whose exorbitant prices are undeniably heavy. On top 
of these is the increasing resort to crematorium due to overcrowding public cemeteries 
and expensive funeral and burial ceremonies.  
In this regard, this bill seeks to strengthen Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local 
Government of 1991 by including in its provision of basic services and facilities a public 
crematorium. The said public crematorium, in addition, shall be under the 
supervision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in its 
regulation of the Presidential Decree 856, otherwise known as the "Code on Sanitation 
of the Philippines" and Republic Act No. 8749, or the "Philippine Clean Air Act of 
1999”. Through the said legislation, Filipinos are given an ease in terms of financial 
obligations incurred as well as an alternative for their deceased family member.  
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
       ERIC G. YAP 
EDVIC G. YAP         
April 17, 2023
12:36pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE, ERIC G. YAP, 
and EDVIC G. YAP 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC CREMATORIUMS IN 
CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES AND EXTENDING FREE CREMATION 
SERVICES TO INDIGENT FAMILIES AMENDING FOR SUCH PURPOSE THE 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE AND THE CODE OF SANITATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Public Crematorium Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote a just 
and dynamic social order that will ensure the freedom of its people from poverty 
through policies that provide adequate social services and improved quality of life. 
As part of fulfilling this, the State shall establish public crematoriums that shall 
provide free cremations for indigent decedents. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - The following terms as used in this Act shall 
mean the following: 
a. A crematorium refers to a designated place duly authorized by law to
cremate dead persons.
b. Indigent refers to a person who has no visible means of support or whose
income falls below the minimum wage in the region as determined by the
Regional Tripartite Wage Board; or whose income falls within the minimum
wage but has two other persons dependent upon him or her for support.
SEC. 4. Establishment of Public Crematoriums. - Section 17 of Republic No. 
7160, as amended, otherwise known as the Local Government Code is hereby 
amended to read as follows: 
“Section 17. Basic Services and Facilities 
xxx 
 xxx 
 xxx 
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(b) Such basic services and facilities include, but are not limited to, the 
following: 
xxx  
xxx  
xxx 
(2) For a Municipality: 
xxx  
xxx  
xxx 
(x) 
Public 
cemetery 
AND 
PUBLIC 
CREMATORIUM" 
 
Furthermore, the design, construction, technical requirements, sanitary 
certification, and operation of the public crematories, as well as handling of dead 
bodies shall be in compliance with the Presidential Decree 856, otherwise known as 
the "Code on Sanitation of the Philippines" and Republic Act No. 8749, or the 
"Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999," and their respective implementing rules and 
regulation. 
 
SEC. 5. Anti-Pollution Measures. - The Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR) shall issue pertinent guidelines and practices promoting 
anti-pollution measures such as, but not limited to, installation of filter systems and 
similar pollution control devices, designation of pollution officers, neutralization of 
pollutants and toxic wastes, reduction of particulate matter, more efficient use of fuel 
and energy, adequate controls on emission levels, among others. 
 
SEC. 6. Coverage. - Families whose combined gross income does not exceed 
Php 15,000 per month, do not own real property, or a vehicle. The real property 
mentioned refers to property acquired through sale. 
 
SEC. 7. Provision of Free Cremation Services for Indigents. - Notwithstanding 
any provision of law, indigent decedents or a decedent belonging to an indigent 
family, as determined by the city or municipal health officer, on the basis of existing 
laws and regulations, shall be cremated in public crematoriums free of charge. 
 
The local city or municipal health officer shall duly record all cremations 
performed in the public crematorium. 
 
SEC. 8. Subsidy from the National Government. - The costs for the 
establishment of public crematoriums in accordance with the provisions of this Act 
shall be provided in the Annual General Appropriation Act. 
 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Interior and 
Local Government, in coordination with the Secretary of Budget and Management 
and the Secretary of Finance shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the 
release of the subsidy from the National Government in accordance with Section 3 of 
this Act. 
 
The Secretary of Health shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations 
regarding the minimum technical requirements for public crematoriums taking into 
consideration the population size of cities or municipalities as well as other matters 
provided for by this Act. 


 
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SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of laws and rules inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any section or provision of 
this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not 
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,