SORSOGON Gov. Francis Escudero on Friday vowed to institutionalize the establishment of interfaith cemeteries nationwide if he wins a Senate seat.

Escudero said he will push for a legislation to bring people of all faiths together in one place in every province and municipality across the country.

The former lawmaker stressed that this will allow peope to bury their loved ones according to their traditions and beliefs. This practice is being observed in Sorsogon, which has two interfaith cemeteries located in the towns of Pilar and Casiguran.

“Nais kong maging institusyonal ang pagtatayo ng interfaith cemetery sa mga probinsiya at kabayanan upang maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan ang inklusibong pagkalinga ng pamahalaan nang walang diskriminasyon at pag-aalintana sa paniniwala at relihiyon,” Escudero said.

“Madalas kasi puno na ang mga pampublikong sementeryo at kadalasan din ang may puwang na lang ay ang nasa pribado at semeteryong pang-Katoliko. Ngunit kung minsan hindi rin nito daliang natutugunan ang mga pangangailangan at mga rekisitos ng ibang relihiyon at paniniwala,” he added.

Under Escudero’s proposal, local government units and leaders of various religious denominations will have control and supervision over these interfaith cemeteries.

The establishment of interfaith cemeteries, he said, is important particularly for indigenous peoples and Muslims, who adhere to traditional funeral rites based on their culture, customs and religious beliefs.