Bill giving Muslims, IPs equal access in public cemeteries backed

By Leonel Abasola, Philippine News Agency

FILE: A cemetery caretaker repaints one of the tombs at the Barangka Municipal Cemetery along A. Bonifacio Avenue in Marikina City on Wednesday (Oct. 26, 2022). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – A bill allowing equal access for Filipino Muslims and indigenous peoples (IPs) in public cemeteries has gained support from Senate minority leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

In his “supportive” interpellation of Senate Bill 1273, Pimentel commended Senator Robinhood Padilla for “having thought of this idea,” and for authoring and sponsoring the measure.

“Actually, I think this is a very timely measure, especially that our sponsor has received actual real life experiences na sinasagot ng panukalang batas na ito (that this bill seeks to address). This is a measure we should support,” he said.

Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs, filed the bill after learning of real-life experiences where Muslims and IPs still encounter problems in looking for burial grounds for their departed loved ones.

Padilla described Pimentel’s support as “timely and worthy.”

Earlier, Padilla said it is infuriating to learn of recent incidents such as the displacement of 100 remains in a Muslim cemetery in Quezon City and Montalban due to the activities of a nearby quarrying company.

He added many IPs face challenges in following their burial traditions, especially in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, since the remains must be transported to their home provinces.

Pimentel also suggested improvements to the bill, including incorporating a floor plan for public cemeteries as well as not allowing donors of burial lots to influence the partition of the cemeteries.

Padilla agreed with the Mindanao lawmaker’s suggestion.