By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Batac
City—Saying that these are the people’s
demand here, Batac councilor Bernardo K. Marders proposed the establishment of
a new cemetery with crematory facilities, and housing subdivision here.
As such, two draft ordinances
intended for both the living and dead were presented for first reading during
the council’s regular session.
Mr. Marders, committee on
labor, employment and civil services, disclosed that the current Batac cemetery
is already congested and needs an expansion; or the city government can build a
new cemetery,
He also divulged that, at
present, only a privately owned cemetery has free spaces. Other cemeteries
here, he added, are either full or close to full capacity.
He said his proposal would
forestall whatever problems that may arise in the future regarding this issue.
In his proposal, Mr. Marders
requested that the cemetery be built along the national highway, preferably
also with crematory facilities.
He stressed that should this
push through, Batac will become the first local government unit to operate a
crematory facility.
He added that he is hopeful
the city government’s executive department would consider this so an allocation
will be tackled during the next budget hearing.
Meanwhile, Mr. Marders also
proposed the establishment of city housing subdivision for Batac residents.
According to him, there is a
present boundary dispute between the city of Batac and the municipality of
Pinili particularly along Barangay Pimentel here.
Mr. Marders expressed hopes
that Batac would be favored in this dispute. He said the area being disputed
can become the location for the city-owned subdivision.
He stressed that this would
give locals here the opportunity to build and own houses in the future.
However, he added that both
his proposals would still be tackled by the council and with Batac mayor Albert
D. Chua.
Mayor reacts to proposal
Batac mayor Albert D. Chua welcomed Mr. Marders’ proposal. He
added that he is ready to support this since he can also foresee congestion
problems at the current cemetery in the future.
The mayor, however, said this
should still be studied more thoroughly. He said the city’s death rate should
be considered. They also need to inquire about the necessary permits and
prerequisites from concerned government agencies for this plan.
He admitted though that this
project has already crossed his mind when he became a mayor. He also said he
also thought of a crematorium in this city.
He further stressed that in
his belief, a crematorium can only be maintained in highly urbanized cities;
which he said have very large population. Compared to Batac, he said those
cities may have space problems. This, he pointed out, is contrary to Batac’s
situation which still has vast tract of lands.
He however said he will
consider the crematorium proposal provided the necessary plans, requirements
and study regarding its maintenance is available. He also said this would be
dependent on the fund needed, too.
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