PHL Labor Attaché Dr. Alicia Santos passes away in Malaysia

Dr. Alicia Santos, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur’s Labor Attaché and a recipient of the Gawad mabini presidential award in 2013, passed away on Thursday after suffering from a heart attack. She was 64 years old.

Santos, a 35-year veteran in government service, served as the Embassy's Labor Attaché starting in January 2011. She ended her tour of duty on January 14.

“On behalf of the officers and staff of the Embassy, we join the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), her family and friends and the Filipino community here in Malaysia in mourning the passing of an exemplary public servant. 

"She [had] worked tirelessly for the promotion of the rights and welfare of the Filipinos in Malaysia, which she considered to be her mission when she came here. I am proud to say she has fulfilled that mission,” Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said in a statement on Sunday.

During her three-year stint in Kuala Lumpur, Santos spearheaded the creation of the Federation of Filipino Associations in Malaysia (FFAM), an umbrella organization of all the Filipino community groups in the Malaysia.

The FFAM is composed of around 35 Filipino community organizations and has been the Embassy's conduit in activities involving the Filipino community. It was officially accredited by the Malaysian Registry of Societies in August 2012.

Santos had been active in organizing activities to improve Filipino workers’ financial literacy and skills through several training seminars, in partnership with the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) in Kuala Lumpur.

“Dr. Santos is one of the 'Prime Movers' of having to put together all the Filipino communities in Malaysia of what it is called the FFAM today. We are all in the same boat, she being our 'Lady Captain' thoroughly guiding its direction. Words cannot express our sorrow. The Federation would not be the same without her,” FFAM president Ricardo Limson said.

“We're proud to say you are a great and best leader.  May your good works remain in us, as good guidance (example) to everyone.  God bless you. Rest in peace with the presence of God,” El Shaddai Kuala Lumpur Chapter's Liza Lizardo Ngui added.

Santos received the Gawad Mabini with the rank of Dakilang Kasugo in ceremonies in Manila in July 2013 during the the 115th Foundation Day of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The Presidential award, the highest given to DFA and foreign service personnel and service attaches, was bestowed on Santos in recognition for her work with the Filipino community in Malaysia.

Santos began her career in the government as an Administrative Officer at the National Manpower and Youth Council (now Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) in 1977 and worked her way up to becoming DOLE Regional Director.  

She served as Labor Attaché in countries such as South Korea, Lebanon, Syria and Italy before being assigned in Malaysia.

Santos’ remains lie in state at Chapel 1 of the Heritage Park's Mortuary and Crematorium in Taguig City.  Cremation will be on February 6, after a 7 p.m. Mass. — Xianne Arcangel /LBG, GMA News