FORMER Dagupan City mayor Benjamin “Benjie” Lim passed away on Wednesday morning, January 16, due to pneumonia.

DWIZ-Dagupan station manager Orly Navarro reported Lim’s death at the age of 66, citing his son, incumbent city Vice Mayor Brian Lim.

The vice mayor has yet to issue an official statement on the passing of his father and the immediate plans of the family.

Mayor Belen Fernandez, through Executive Order No. 02-19, has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast on all buildings and places in Dagupan as a “sign of mourning for the demise” of Lim.

“With such demise of one of the recognized leaders of this City, it is just and proper to give him honor,” the EO said.

Meanwhile, the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) - Pangasinan chapter, through its official Facebook page, extended its condolences to the Lim family.

“May God give the family peace that they seek. Respect to the man who is a supporter of media in Pangasinan,” it said in a statement.

The elder Lim was called the “Father of Bangus Festival,” as he introduced the now second biggest annual summer festival in Pangasinan, next to Pista'y Dayat Festival (Sea Festival).

Before entering politics, he served as general manager of Duty Free Philippines, Junior Chamber International (JCI) world executive vice president, and national president of JCI Philippines.

He also served as congressman of the 4th district of Pangasinan from 1998-2001, and city mayor from 2001-2007 and 2010-2013. (PNA)