MANILA - The Pasig City government will pay for the cremation of residents who died from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Mayor Vico Sotto recently said.

Sotto assured his constituents last week, after the city reported 140 COVID-19 cases, with 22 deaths.

"Para sa mga taga-Pasig na may COVID-RELATED DEATH, sagot ng Lokal na Pamahalaan ang cremation," Sotto said.

"Wag mag-alala, mahigpit tayong sumusunod sa mga protocol ng Department of Health at 100 percent ligtas po ito," he said after thanking a crematorium that partnered with the city government.

Pasig City residents whose deaths were not linked to COVID-19 may also receive assistance from the government, Sotto said.

"Kung kailangan naman ng sertipikasyon na non-COVID [death], may naka-duty tayong doktor sa mga SuperHealth Center, 24/7," he said.

(If you need a certification for non-COVID deaths, we have a doctor on duty 24/7 in our SuperHealth Center.)

Those who wish to avail of the free cremation or burial assistance from the city government should call the city's public information office at 8-643-0000, the mayor said.

As of April 12, 2020, Pasig City registered 190 cases of COVID-19. Of the coronavirus patients in Pasig, 27 died, 35 recovered, while the rest are still battling the disease.