The local government opened Tuesday the crematorium as part of the modernization plan for its public cemetery in Sitio Bolonsori, Barangay Camaman-an.

Armen Cuenca, head of the city environment and natural resources office, said the facility is part of the PHP367-million crematorium and columbarium project that last year.

“It will cater (the crematorium) an average of two to three hours for one cadaver. This facility will operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with three cadavers to be facilitated in one day,” Cuenca said in a media interview.

Cuenca said the local government has received a temporary license from the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to operate the crematorium.

The crematorium, which has an area of 101.7 square meters, became a priority at the height of the coronavirus disease 2019.

Outgoing Mayor Oscar Moreno said of the 19- hectare total area of the Bolonsori public cemetery, 10 hectares are allocated for redevelopment.

Moreno said the cemetery’s modernization ensured that it will continue to serve the public for over 40 years. (PNA)