Misamis Oriental grieves over lawmaker's death

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines - Rep. Danilo Lagbas of 1st district, Misamis Oriental passed away Sunday dawn at St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City. He was 56. Lagbas passed away after a long bout with illness, which kept him from public view since April when he launched his livelihood project, Bagsakan sa Gulayan, in Balingasag town. He is survived by his wife, Purita, and five children Roldan, Victor, Danilo Jr., Jennifer Karen and Direck. Jennifer works as a lawyer at the Public Attorney's Office, while Roldan is the court sheriff at a Regional Trial Court. "He is a big loss to the House of Congress and of the people of the 1st district of Misamis Oriental. We in the Congress and members of the Mindanao bloc will honor him in an appropriate manner," Representative Rufus Rodriguez (2nd district, Cagayan de Oro) said. "He was good, kind, unassuming and dedicated congressman," Rodriguez added. Radio journalist Bingo Alcordo, a close associate of Lagbas, said his family decided to bring the remains of the late congressman to Cagayan de Oro aboard a Cebu Pacific flight from Manila Monday morning. "Ang last wish ni Congressman Lagbas nga three days ra ang wake pero sabotan pa sa family kon i-extend for the sake sa mga constituents gikan sa bukid (The last wish of Congressman Lagbas is to have a three-day wake but the family will still have to decide whether to extend the wake to accommodate the constituents from the mountains)," Alcordo said. Governor Oscar Moreno poured out his sentiments to Lagbas' eldest son, Roldan. "Pangkoy, my deepest condolences, your Daddy has served the people very well. He was everybody's friend at all times. He had the patience and humility that could not be equaled. Even in death, he will continue to inspire all of us. We are all proud of him," Moreno said. Lagbas passed away less than two weeks after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed into law, Republic Act 9501, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The late lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development, is the bill's primary endorser and author. Speaker Prospero Nograles said RA 9501, which amended Republic Act 6977, is a landmark legislation that will generate more job opportunities as well as develop the country's export industries. RA 9501 increases the mandatory allocation of credit resources by lending institutions from six to eight percent for micro and small enterprises, while retaining the two percent for medium enterprises. The law also expanded the category of "small" enterprises as businesses with P3,000,000 to P15 million in total assets less landholdings; and "medium" enterprises, P15,000,001 to P100 million. It also increases the capitalization of the government-owned Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation from P5 billion to 10 billion. "RA 9501 will do away the mentality of Filipino workers of just being workers and employees and instead allow them to strive to create jobs themselves by creating micro, small and medium enterprises," Rep. Ma. Victoria A. Sy-Alvarado, the bill co-author, told the Philippine Information Agency. Lagbas started his political career when he was elected as mayor of Sugbongcogon town, Misamis Oriental in the 80s. He was elected vice governor of Misamis Oriental in 1998 and after serving the office briefly, was elected to the House of Representatives by a big majority. Lagbas had his elementary education at the Sugbongcogon Elementary School and finished his secondary education at Fatima College of Camiguin in Camiguin Island in 1968. He graduated from Liceo de Cagayan University. A two-termer, Lagbas is also the vice chair of the House Legislative Franchises and a member for the majority for various congressional committees such as rural development, accounts, agrarian reform, agriculture and food, land use, natural resources and Mindanao affairs. Lagbas is a native of Sugbongcogon town. - Sun.Star