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Art. VII, Sec. 4(b) - Edict No. 133
Manila North Cemetery Masonic Property

EDICT NO. 133

MANILA NORTH CEMETERY MASONIC PROPERTY

WHEREAS, the GRAND LODGE OF THE PHILIPPINES is in possession of and administers a portion of the North Cemetery specifically designated as Sections 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96 and 97 pursuant to Section 335 (v) of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Manila;

WHEREAS, these portions of the North Cemetery has come to be known as "Masonic Cemetery" for the burial of Master Masons who are members of the Lodges owing allegiance to the Grand Lodge of the Philippines or those of other jurisdictions in amity with the Grand Lodge of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, a number of graves now contain the remains of persons who are not entitled to be interred in those Masonic plots, thereby necessitating the issuance of rules and regulations to correct the situations, and to make available these burial plots to as many Masters Masons as possible;

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority in me vested as Grand Master of Masons of the Philippines, I hereby decree the formation of a permanent Committee for the Administration of the Masonic Cemetery to be composed of five (5) Past Masters all of whom shall be residents of Metro Manila, including the Chairman with a term of office of five (5) years and with plenary powers to administer the Masonic Cemetery, in accordance with the following rules and regulations.

ARTICLE I - PERSONS ENTITLED TO LEASE

  1. Funeral plots in the Masonic Cemetery shall be leased only to Master Masons who are members in good standing of any Lodge in the jurisdiction of the Philippines, or those of other Grand Jurisdictions with whom the Grand Lodge of the Philippines are in amity, provided such are residents of the Philippines.

  2. Henceforth, the lease of funeral plots in the Masonic Cemetery shall be made on an "at-need" basis. Consequently, all reservations for future use are hereby cancelled and shall no longer be entertained, nor shall leases in anticipation of future need (pre-need basis) be made, provided, however, that rights previously acquired before the effectivity of this Edict shall be recognized and respected.

ARTICLE II - PROCEDURE FOR LEASE APPLICATION

  1. Upon the death of a Master Mason entitled to be buried in the Masonic Cemetery, and who had expressed a desire prior to his death to be buried in the Masonic Cemetery, the application for lease of a funeral plot shall be made and filed with the Committee on Administration of the Masonic Cemetery (henceforth referred herein as the "Committee") by either of the following:

    a) The surviving wife b) Any surviving child of legal age c) Any incumbent elected officer of the Lodge of which the deceased was a member

  2. Upon receipt of an application for lease, the Committee shall designate and assign the specific burial, plot (Lot and Section No.) where the deceased shall be buried and shall collect all necessary charges.

  3. Upon payment of the required charges, the applicant shall cause the lease to be registered at his expense with the proper office in the City Hall of Manila in accordance with applicable ordinances.

ARTICLE III - MISCELLANEOUS

  1. All leases shall be for a period of five (5) years from the date of burial, extendible once for every five (5) years at the option of the applicant at the expiry of the lease period, upon payment of the required fees and charges.

  2. All burial plots shall be vacated at the end of the lease period or extension period, and may again be leased by the Committee thereafter.

  3. The Committee shall keep a faithful record of all leases made, including expiry dates of leases, and all vacant lots available for lease.

  4. Any Master Mason may be allowed to examine these records during office hours.

  5. All decisions of the committee may be appealed to the Grand Master.

  6. The Committee, may from time to time promulgate such additional rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out its functions provided such will not alter the substance of the rules and regulations provided for in this Edict.

This Edict shall take effect upon promulgation; and shall be read in open Lodge at the City of Manila, Philippines, this 22nd day of November, 1990.

(Sgd.) JOHN L. CHOA Grand Master

ATTEST:

(Sgd.) ROSENDO C. HERRERA, PGM Grand Secretary