ANGELES — The city government here under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. is offering a small act of charity that will somehow alleviate the financial burden should an indigent family member dies — a free casket.

Mayor Lazatin said there are 62 caskets available now at the Angeles City Public Cemetery in Barangay Sapalibutad. Each casket is worth ₱10,000.

“It may sound unusual, but this is the reality. May mga kababayan po tayo na humaharap sa pagsubok na walang perang pampalibing o pambili ng kabaong para sa namatay nilang mahal sa buhay,” Lazatin said.

Lazatin said this is just an initial phase of the project. By the year 2022, the city government will purchase another ₱600,000 worth of caskets that will complement the program.

“Ang importante lang po ay residente sila ng siyudad. Libre lang po ang serbisyong ito para sa mga Angeleños,” Lazatin shared.

Philip Samson, Angeles City Public Cemetery Officer, said this project launched by Mayor Lazatin is “very humanitarian”, providing a decent wake for the deceased Angeleño.

“Napakahalaga po nito dahil ang makikinabang ay ang mga kababayan natin na naulila at salat sa kabuhayan na di kayang bigyan or maafford ng disenteng burol/lamay ang kanilang yumaong mahal sa buhay,” Samson said.

The main beneficiaries of the project, Samson explained, are those Angeleños that belong to the poorest of the poor.

“Ang makakapagavail po ay yung mga namatay na indigent na sinasabing poor of the poorest yung walang kakayahan na makapagbayad ng casket sa private funeral home,” he said.

For the requirements, Samson said, the deceased must be an Angeleño with valid documents presented, Death Certificate, Barangay Certificate of Indigency, and City Social Welfare and Development Office referral letter.

“In the history of Angeles, sa administrasyon lang po Mayor Lazatin nagkaroon ng ganitong programa po,” Samson shared. (ANGELES-CIO)