NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1760
of til? ^
23 JAN 25 All ‘04
RECEIVED BV: __
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
"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"
Explanatory Note
A death in the family is not only a time of grief but also a period of deep financial 
stress. In the Philippines, both the traditional funeral and burial services can range 
from ten thousand to hundreds of thousands of pesos. Traditional burials have also 
posed issues due to the lack of space, especially in urban cemeteries. In the 
alternative, the process of cremation is a readily available, cost-effective, and practical 
option which Filipinos can now consider.
Cremation is the process of burning a dead body, typically after a funeral 
ceremony. Previously, Filipinos favored the traditional burial rites due to religious 
concerns, however, with the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals have become 
more open and aware to the process of cremation as a means of burying their 
departed ones.
While there are programs that aid indigent families, specifically the DSWD's 
Burial Assistance Program which provides up to 10,000 pesos worth of benefits, this 
bill seeks to establish public crematoriums that cremate indigent decedents free of 
charge; this is to provide alternative options to the traditionalbtrfiaTfor poorTamilies.
In view of the foregoing, the urgent passing of this ^11 is earnestly sought.
affy T. Tulfo
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
ifSl Senate
of l')> fe'i f’
23 JAN 25 All :04
SENATE
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tuifo
"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:
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Section 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the n Public Crematorium Act."
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Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to promote a just
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and dynamic social order that will ensure the freedom of its people from poverty
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through policies that provide adequate social services and improved quality of life.
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As part of fulfilling this, the State shall establish public crematoriums that shall
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provide free cremations for indigent decedents.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. —The following terms as used in this Act shall
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mean the following:
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a. >4 crematorium refers to a designated place duly authorized by law to
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cremate dead persons.
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b. Indigent refers to a person who has no visible means of support or
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whose income falls below the minimum wage in the region as
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determined by the Regional Tripartite Wage Board; or whose income
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falls within the minimum wage but has two other persons dependent
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upon him or her for support.
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Sec. 4. Establishment of Public Crematoriums. — Section 17 of Republic No.
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7160, as amended, otherwise known as the Local Government Code is hereby
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amended to read as follows:


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"Section 17. Basic Services and Facilities —
XXX XXX XXX
(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.


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Sec 8. Subsidy from the National Government —The costs for the
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establishment of public crematoriums in accordance with the provisions of this Act
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shall be provided in the Annual General Appropriation Act.
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Sec 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. —The Secretary of Interior and
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Local Government, in coordination with the Secretary of Budget and Management
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and the Secretary of Finance shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
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release of the subsidy from the National Government in accordance with Section 3 of
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this Act.
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The Secretary of Health shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
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regarding the minimum technical requirements for public crematoriums taking into
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consideration the population size of cities or municipalities as well as other matters
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provided for by this Act.
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Sec 10. Repealing Clause. — All provisions of laws and rules inconsistent with
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the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
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Sec 11. Separability Clause. —If for any reason, any section or provision of
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this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not
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affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec 12. Effectivity Clause. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
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following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,