Senator seeks more assistance for family of deceased COVID-19 patients

A SENATOR on Monday sought clearer guidelines and additional assistance for the families of deceased coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay raised this matter following concerns that some private crematoriums charge as much as P100,000 for the cremation of COVID-19 positive remains.

“Kailangan din i-address ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) ‘yung mga hinaharap na problema ng mga pamilyang namatayan dahil sa (The IATF must also address the problems faced by the families of those who died from) COVID-19,” she said in a statement on Monday.

Ms. Binay said the IATF should provide a set of rules on handling COVID-19-related deaths, including cadaver management, storage, cremation and assistance.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development currently offers to shoulder P5,000–25,000 of the funeral expense; P5,000–25,000 of the cost in transferring the cadaver; and P10,000 cash assistance. — Charmaine A. Tadalan