Duterte asks crematoriums to charge pre-COVID-19 fees

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday appealed to crematoriums to retain their prices that were in place prior to the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a televised address, the President threatened to leave the bodies of COVID-19 patients on the doorsteps of crematoriums if they charge higher prices amid the crisis.

“Ito namang may-ari ng crematorium, may I ask you to maintain ‘yung presyo ng cremation before and ante-quarantine. Ibig sabihin, ‘yung presyo no’ng wala pa tayong problema, ‘yun ang ibigay ninyo,” he said.

“Nakikiusap ako, tutal negosyo ‘yan e, kumikita kayo ng pera.”

Some public crematoriums across Metro Manila have noted an uptick in cremations due to COVID-19, such as the Baesa Crematorium in Quezon City and the Pasay Public Crematorium. 

Private crematoriums charge between 50,000 to 90,000 for cremation, according to a 24 Oras report by Ivan Mayrina on Monday.

The President also warned violators of the Luzon-wide quarantine that the bodies of COVID-19 positive patients will go straight to the crematorium.

“Huwag kayong mamatay ngayon, kayong mga matigas ang ulo, kasi ‘pag namatay ka at nalaman ng gobyerno na positive ka… kukunin ‘yung katawan ng patay mo, susunugin ‘yan,” he said. -- BAP, GMA News