Nation mourns Robredo's death

SYMPATHIES pour out for the family of the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo after his remains were retrieved Tuesday from a plane crash off Masbate last Saturday.

The outpouring of grief from the masses is reminiscent of the nation's sorrow over the passing of President Ramon Magsaysay who also perished in a plane crash in Mount Manunggal, Cebu on March 17, 1957.

Robredo is a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia's version of the prestigious Nobel Prize, in 2000 in recognition for "giving credence to the promise of democracy by demonstrating that effective city management is compatible with yielding power to the people" during his tenure as three-term mayor of Naga City.

President Benigno Aquino III declared yesterday the national days of mourning starting Tuesday until the burial with state honors of Robredo whom everybody refers to as "a good man".

All government offices in the country were also ordered to fly all flags at half-mast in honor of the late DILG secretary.

Negrense officials extend condolences

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. said the Negrenses extend their deep sympathy to the family of Robredo for his death. He described Robredo as a good man who has done a lot for the country.

Vice governor Genaro Alvarez also extended his sympathy to the Robredo family. He said he has personally met Robredo in a meeting in Dumaguete City two months after he was elected as Vice Governor of the province.

Vice-Guv theorizes on crash

Meanwhile, Alvarez, a pilot himself who survived a plane crash when he was still a student, said the Piper Seneca, twin-engine plane, can fly even in one engine only, provided it flies at an altitude of not less than 500 feet.

The higher it flies, the greater its chances to safely land at the nearest airport, said Alvarez.

He said the plane may have already been engaged in landing procedure and that the pilot may have also been in stalling speed which is normally done when preparing for landing.

Bacolod officials hail Robredo

Bacolod Lone District Representative Anthony Golez said Robredo has just approved two fire trucks for Bacolod City. Robredo was not only a good cabinet official but also an excellent mayor, author, and scientist. He pointed out that he has read the books of Robredo about the local government.

For his part, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia Tuesday extended his condolence to Robredo's family. Leonardia recalled that Robredo was once the president of the League of Cities of the Philippines when he was still the City Mayor of Naga.

"Robredo had a sterling performance as chief executive until he became DILG Secretary under the Aquino administration. He is action and performance oriented.

But despite his achievements and positions in government, he maintained a low profile," said Leonardia who pointed out that Robredo was not a traditional politician.

Robredo's program credited for giving Bacolod P35 million infra fund.

Leonardia also credited Robredo for institutionalizing programs for the improvement of LGUs, such as the Seal of Good Housekeeping where Bacolod was named as among the awardees.

Such award provided the city with P35 million worth of infrastructure projects which redounded to the benefit of the city, stressed the mayor.

"Sec. Jesse Robredo is an irreplaceable loss to local governance in particular and the country in general. He was such a big promise to nation-building because he was a rare breed who was a trailblazer in innovative governance. His track record as Naga City mayor and National President of the League of Cities of the Philippines is worthy of emulation. The DILG was a perfect branch of service for him," said Leonardia.

"May his advocacies for reform and excellence in governance become lasting institutions in the whole republic. To salute this great public servant and friend, the flags in Bacolod City will fly at half mast," the mayor added.

Moreover, the Negrense for Noynoy Movement (N4NM) mourned the untimely death of Robredo.

"He is one of the most honest and hardworking man in our government today," said Nana Yulo, N4NM convenor. "May his soul rest in peace and may he claim his place in God's embrace."

Yulo said they considered the good secretary as an asset to the PNoy administration who has accomplished much for the administration.

BCPO, NOPPO pay respects

Meanwhile, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and Negro Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) expressed condolences to Robredo's family as they fly all Philippine flags in half mast to honor the late secretary.

BCPO Director Ricardo De la Paz and NOPPO Director Milko Lirazan Tuesday said they were saddened by the death of Robredo, adding that all their units express condolences to Robredo’s family.

“We have lost our good leader in the PNP,” said De la Paz and Lirazan.

PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome also said the entire 147,000 men and women of the Philippine National Police (PNP) mourn the demise of the father of the DILG family, Secretary Robredo.

In Bartolome’s message sent to Sunstar-Bacolod Tuesday, he said all PNP camps are hoisting the national colors at half mast as an expression of their great respect to a great man and a good leader who steered the DILG-PNP family through the straight and narrow path of proper public service. (Teresa D. Ellera/Carla N. Canet/Merlinda A. Pedrosa)