POOR people from Cebu City will no longer have to worry about where to get money to buy casket for their departed loved ones.
This after Councilor Rey Gealon initiated a "Libreng Lungon ni Gealon" program that will provide free caskets to the poor people from the 80 barangays in the city who passed away.
“Atong nakita nga daghan kaayo ang nagkinahanglan og tabang labi na sa atong mga kaigsuonang kabos. Sagad sa naabot sa atong opisina mao ang problema sa ilang mahal sa kinabuhi nga nitaliwan ug kakuwang sa pundo pagpalit og lungon. Ug sa ginagmay nga paagi, mahupay ang ilang problema sa pagtaliwan sa ilang mga mahal sa kinabuhi," Gealon said.
(We see that there are many people who need help, especially our poor brothers and sisters. A common problem that comes to our office is the problem on lack of money to buy a coffin for their deceased loved ones and in our own little way their problems are comforted.)
The first-term councilor and former city attorney said that even though he represents the 34 barangays in the south district, death does not choose a barangay.
Gealon said the family of the deceased must submit to his office a certificate of indigency from their barangay and a death certificate to avail of burial assistance.
He clarified that the Cebu City Government will not spend for the casket since this is supported by his friends.
Gealon’s project is in addition to the burial assistance of City Hall.
After the "Libreng Lungon ni Gealon" was launched, two homeless people in Barangay San Nicolas Proper were the first to benefit from the program.
According to Gealon that after the program was publicized, some indigents from cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue and the municipality of Argao, where he started political career as municipal councilor, called his office if they can also avail of the program but the councilor replied that he could no longer accommodate them. (PAC, TPT)