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| INTERIOR Secretary Jesse Robredo (center) is with Roxas City Mayor Angel Alan Celino (left) and Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. during the blessing and turnover of the Department of Interior and Local Government – Capiz building during the Capiztahan on April 13–15, in this file photo. |
ROXAS City — Government officials in Capiz province and Roxas City are mourning over the death of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo.
Robredo — who, with two others, went missing after the private plane carrying them crashed off Masbate on Saturday — was found dead yesterday morning. He was 54.
Gov. Victor A. Tanco said he was very saddened when he confirmed that Robredo, former mayor of Naga City, has died.
“We (in the local government units) have lost a champion of good governance and an advocate of transparency, accountability and people’s participation,” the governor said in a text message to Panay News.
“He was a great loss to the administration of President (Benigno) Noy Aquino (III),” he added.
Robredo was one of the guests during the celebration of Capiz’s 111th founding anniversary just this April 13–15.
For his part, Mayor Angel Alan Celino said the DILG secretary was instrumental in the development of modern police stations here and in the province.
“He is a great loss for us,” Celino said.
Businessman Emmanuel Billones Sr., on the other hand, said Robredo is a “great loss for us (Capiceños) and the Filipino people.”
Robredo’s body was located and retrieved after three days of intensive search and rescue operation off the Masbate City coast.
It was found in the cabin of the plane. Robredo was the first to be recovered and brought to land, a report on Rappler quoted Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas as saying.
During his visit in this city, Robredo called for responsible mining in Capiz.
Robredo was one of the seven Cabinet secretaries who joined the Capiceños in celebrating the province’s 111th anniversary.
The DILG secretary then said that while mining is both an opportunity and a vehicle for jobs generation, the government continues to advocate for responsible mining.
Responsible mining considers a variety of factors including the environmental impact of the activity and the danger it poses to the people, Robredo then said. (Felipe Celino/PN)
