Owner assures crematorium not hazardous to public health

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS City – The owner of Gegato-Abecia Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc. assured the public that its crematorium being constructed at Brgy. Mongpong here will not pose health hazards.

According to Fely Abecia, the public should not worry because the crematorium uses new technology.

Abecia said the crematorium will go through processes and inspections by the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) before it is allowed to operate.

But she said they will be ready to discontinue the operation if residents oppose the facility.

During the public hearing held Wednesday afternoon, a heated exchange between residents and the management of the Gegato-Abecia Funeral Homes and Crematory Inc. ensued after it was found out that the City Engineer’s Office has yet to issue a building permit to the crematorium.

Atty. Jose Romi Marañon, legal counsel of the crematorium, said they have yet to comply with the building permit requirements because the person assigned to the task resigned.

Marañon added that they stopped the project after receiving the cease and desist order issued by the City Engineer’s Office on Nov 8, 2021.

The management is willing to pay the corresponding fines, he added.

At present, Maranon said they are now in the process of completing the requirements.

Earlier, Punong Barangay Ricardo Ricky Donato of Mongpong said he did not receive the letter from petitioners informing him about their refusal to attend the public hearing at the covered gym.

Donato said he was not at the barangay hall when Gaudencio Azarcon, one of the petitioners, handed the letter to his secretary.

The village wanted the residents to attend the public hearing to air their opposition to the said business.