Residents stage a rally protesting the opening of a funeral parlor near their homes in Mandaue City. Annie Fe Perez, ABS-CBN News

MANDAUE CITY—Close to a hundred residents demanded the immediate closure of a newly-opened funeral parlor here on Saturday, citing its apparent lack of business and sanitary permits.

Bearing placards and megaphones, protesters said the Fonus Funeral Parlor, which is managed by the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), blocked the right of way in Barangay Alang-Alang.

Annie Fe Perez, ABS-CBN News

But Reynaldo Gadiangco, who chairs the funeral parlor's board, said the facility had complete documents and an "occupancy permit" would be secured after it opened on Saturday.

A meeting between the residents and NATCCO at the office of Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing was scheduled on Monday.

Funeral parlors, while a common sight near homes around the country, are also feared by some to cause illness due to the toxic chemicals used in embalming, and possible improper disposal of biological waste.