For burying dead in illegal cemeteries loot to sue families, Benatiro brothers

CEBU, Philippines - Daanbantayan Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot is set to file criminal charges against the families of those who buried their dead relatives in the three cemeteries that were operating illegally in the town’s three barangays.

Loot criticized her political opponents former town councilor Hiram Benatiro and his brother councilor-elect Manuel Benatiro for allegedly escorting the said families.

“Dili lang kay ang mga pamilya sa nagpalubong ang akong ikiha apil na na ang duha ka Benatiro, (I will not only sue the families concerned but I will include the two Benatiro brothers.)” Loot told The FREEMAN.

Daanbantayan used to have 42 public cemeteries but 37 were ordered closed by the Department of Health in 2010 due to various violations,  including those located in the barangays of Tapilon, Bateria and Malbago.

To date, the town has five public cemeteries located in Bitoon, Maya, Talisay, Tuminjao and Calape.

The one located in barangay Bitoon is the seven-hectare municipal cemetery that can still accomodate several bodies.

“Hamugaway man na ang municipal cemeteries unya adto gyud nila ipanglubong ang ilang minatay sa mga menteryo nga gipangsirad-an na, (The municipal cemeteries are okay but they choose to bury their dead relatives in the cemeteries that have already been closed.) “ Loot said.

On October 11, 2011, Loot directed the closure or cessation of burials on the unauthorized burial grounds, as recommended by the Department of Health-7.

Loot added that despite the existence of Municipal Ordinance No. 13-2003 which is intended to prohibit indiscriminate burials and to regulate the operations of all cemeteries with the town, there are still cemeteries operating inside the jurisdiction of the town without permits.

These cemeteries are not recognized by the town and are prohibited from operating for blatantly violating the existing ordinance as well as some provisions of the Code of Sanitation of the Philippines.

DOH-7 former regional director Susana Madarieta. in her letter to Loot dated October 6, 2010, cited their findings and observations that the public cemeteries are already full and congested but are still being utilized making the cemetery unsanitary and a menace to public health.

DOH-7 stated that the lots which are not legally authorized to be used as burial grounds or cemeteries are very proximate to sources of water supply or dwelling places. The cemetery has no drainage systems, among others.

Among the recommendations of DOH-7 as corrective measures is for the LGU to cause the cessation if burials on the authorized burial grounds and recommend the closure of the already full and congested cemetery. A DOH clearance is also needed prior to the opening or establishment of a cemetery.

Loot also strongly disputed that she lost in the recently concluded national and local elections because of this “cemetery issue”, which her political opponents used against her.

“Wala ko napildi tungod aning isyuha. Napildi ko tungod kay grabe ang pinalitay sa katawhan sa among lungsod, (I did not lose because of this issue. I lost because of the vote buying in our town.)” said Loot, who lost to Augusto “Itok” Corro in the mayorship race by over 2,000 votes.

Loot added that her political detractors can open all the closed cemeteries as what the latter have been promising in their election campaigns.

“Pero naa may bala-od. Bahala uroy nila og ilaha nang pa-ablihan ang tanang menteryo. Atong tan-awon og dili ba na sila maputos og kiha sa Ombudsman, (There is a law. It is up to them if they want to open all the cemeteries. Let’s see if they won’t be sued before the Ombudsman.)” Loot added.  (FREEMAN)