BENGUET province is mourning the death of Benguet Congressman Nestor Fongwan Sr. who died on December 18. He was 68.
His son, La Trinidad Councilor and Board Member Nestor Fongwan Jr., confirmed on his social media account the death of his father.
“My father is now with his Creator,” he stated in his Facebook page. Fongwan Jr. added the family will release official statement on the passing of his father while the remains of his father will be brought in their home at Guadayan, Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Fongwan Sr. is referred to as the “action man” for his relentless service for more than 30 years and a hands on leader, responding to calamities and disasters and events where he is needed the most.
He served as councilor and vice-mayor of La Trinidad from 1988 to 1995, La Trinidad mayor from 1998 to 2007 and Benguet governor from 2007 to 2016. During the May 2019 national and local elections, he ran under the PDP-Laban Party for the lone district representative position and won by a landslide against his opponents Thorsson Keith and Materno Luspian.
Fongwan Sr. is survived by his wife Priscilla, five children; Marie Rose Kepes, Fongwan Jr., Marilyn, Ma.Theresa and Marson and grandchildren.
The Philippine Flag at the Benguet Provincial Capitol was put in half mast in memory of the late solon. Following the announcement, government offices, politicians, stakeholders expressed sadness, condolences on the passing of Fongwan Sr.
“Our deepest sympathy to all you left behind... especially to the family of our Action Man Nestor B. Fongwan, who brought La Trinidad to greater heights. Thank you sir,” the local government unit of La Trinidad statement reads.
Under his watch as provincial governor, Benguet was awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the price, paved for the establishment and construction of a sports center with an 8,000 capacity gym.
Before his demise, he passed bills for the agricultural sector, upgrading facilities of Benguet General Hospital among others. The Congressman also joined Cordillera representatives in filing a House Bill seeking for the establishment of Cordillera Autonomous Region.(Lauren Alimondo)