ILOILO City – The sole crematorium in Panay Island has improved its facilities to cope with the steady influx of cadavers to be cremated.
As of yesterday, the death toll to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Panay reached 1,639, with seven new deaths recorded (two in Antique, three in Iloilo province and two in Iloilo City).
The Gegato-Abecia Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. in Barangay Balabago, Jaro district here secured another cremation machine, said proprietor Fely Gegato-Abecia.
Last month the crematory was overwhelmed with COVID casualties; this strained its machine.
The new furnace can process cadavers much faster (every 30 minutes) and safer (no need for the operator to handle the cadavers since it has a conveyor).
The old machine could process up to seven bodies only.
Abecia told Panay News that on Sept. 20, representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) central office will inspect the crematorium.
She also said they now have a bigger and more combustion-efficient chimney, among other new facilities and equipment bought.
“Medyo may kamahalan ang presyo pero ang importante ma-meet naton ang kasolbaran nga wala na ga-aso kag gabahu,” said Abecia.
Gegato-Abecia Funeral Homes & Crematory also purchased a freezer for the cadavers waiting cremation./PN