DILG mourns passing of exec in Negros Occidental due to COVID-19

The Department of the Interior and Local Government mourned Friday the passing of its Negros Occidental provincial director, lawyer Ferdinand Panes, due to COVID-19 leading to a heart attack on October 29.

In a press statement, DILG chief Eduardo Año described Panes as a "beacon of excellence in his quest to deliver public service to the Negrenses and all other LGUs he was assigned to."

"True to his calling as a public servant and despite the danger posed by the coronavirus, especially to people of his age, he braved the threat of the pandemic every single day if only to serve the people," Año said.

He also expressed condolences to Panes' bereaved family and loved ones, adding that the DILG will provide the necessary assistance to them.

"We will honor Panes' legacy and years of dedicated service by doubling our efforts to shepherd local governments and the public to strictly observe minimum health protocols as the country begins to heal and recovers as one," Año said.—AOL, GMA News