Friday, September 29, 2006 Cebu City inviting bidders for funeral services for poor
THE Cebu City Government is inviting bidders for 135 coffins with funeral services for its program to give indigents a decent burial.
That, as City Councilor Gerardo Carillo assured that the endorsements made by barangays are counter-checked to ensure that the poor, and not just supporters of barangay officials, could avail themselves of the service.
The approved budget for the contract is P405,000, which will be taken from the funds this year of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS).
The Bids and Awards Committee issued bid documents to interested suppliers last Sept. 15 to 26 and will evaluate them starting today until Oct. 5.
“The City Government of Cebu assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bid,” read the invitation to bid posted in the City’s website.
Complaints
Carillo said the City is just replenishing its depleted supply because of numerous requests from the barangays.
He said an average of 20 to 30 requests reach the DSWS and these eventually end up in his office. Carillo heads the council committee on social services.
A City Hall source said there were complaints against the previous supplier, which allegedly demanded fees from beneficiaries.
“Mangreklamo ang mga tawo kay pobre gani sila, maong mu-avail sa pauper’s burial (service) sa syudad, nya pabayron hinoon,” (The people complained that they are poor that’s why they avail themselves of the pauper’s burial from the City and then they are made to pay) the source said.
Extended services
Told about the complaints, Carillo said he did not know about the complaints but believes the fee was for the extended service the funeral parlor gave them.
He said that as agreed, the dead should be immediately buried. But some families asked that their dead be embalmed and the funeral parlor charged them for it and for the longer use of lights and other equipment during the wake.
Carillo said gender and development workers in barangays assess the capabilities of applicants before they are endorsed to the DSWS.
Social workers also do case studies before referring requests to his office, he added.
The service is separate from the burial and medical assistance the City also offers to poor residents.
The City gives P5,000 as burial assistance and up to P5,000 in medical assistance. (RHM)
