MANILA, Philippines– President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allowed a measure granting free funeral services to indigent families to lapse into law, according to the Presidential Communications Office.
Republic Act 11974 provides assistance to poor families for the dignified burial of their deceased relatives. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will implement the law and determine eligibility for the program.
Under the law, indigent families are defined as those without visible means of income or whose combined earnings fall below the poverty threshold.
The measure passed both chambers of Congress and took effect after the President did not act on it within 30 days, in accordance with legislative procedures.
The DSWD will issue implementing rules and coordinate with local government units to ensure the delivery of services.
