NORTHERN Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco) confirmed the passing of its general manager, Mario Angelo "Dodong" Sotto, on Thursday, January 6. He was 53.
Nordeco confirmed this in a Facebook post Thursday noon, and said Sotto had "touched so many lives with his bright personality, his will to change lives, and his passion and mission to make a difference."
"Your Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. family will always remember you and we will continue to live up to your words to do our best in all ways [sic]," Nordeco said in its post.
Annabelle Bringas-Sotto, Mario's wife, in her Facebook post said: "It may be hard for us but we know the Lord has better plans for you. Although you are not with us anymore, continue to guide and pray for us in every step of the way. Genuine kindness and lavish generosity is your legacy that we will always uphold. Until we meet again my beloved husband.”
She also said that her husband's wake will be at the Florence Chapel of the Cosmopolitan Funeral Home.
The details regarding Mario's death have yet to be disclosed by the family.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Government of Nabunturan in Davao de Oro, in a statement, also mourned Sotto’s passing as he was the municipality's former Sangguniang Bayan Member and Vice Mayor.
"The Local Government Unit of Nabunturan sends its heartfelt sympathy and sincerest condolences to the bereaved family of Hon. Mario Angelo 'Dodong' M. Sotto," the Nabunturan government said.
The municipality said Sotto was a Sangguniang Bayan Member who served from 2010 to 2013 and Vice Mayor from 2013 to 2016. He also authored 4 Municipal Ordinances and 111 Resolutions.
The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (Philreca) also extended its condolences to Nordeco and the Sotto family, whom they said is a "warrior of light."
"He has shown us what it means to be a Warrior of Light, how to fight until the end, and how to unite the people of Nordeco behind a common cause," Philreca said in a Facebook post.
The association said the late Sotto is the inspiration in the One EC-MCO Movement as they continue to fight and oppose the "oligarchs who have been trying to seize control of our electric cooperatives.”
Sotto's passing came as Nordeco, formerly known as Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Daneco), is facing possible revocation of its area of coverage following the approval on second reading of the House Bill (HB) 10554, expanding the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) to other parts of the region covered by Nordeco. (RGL)