Gov. Espino Hails Remarkable Feats of Sec. Robredo in local governance

Lingayen- - -Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. hailed the late Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo for all his remarkable contributions in government and local governance.

In a special mass offered by the province which was attended by provincial and local officials, DILG personnel, police force and provincial government employees at the Provincial Training and Development Center (PTDC) here, Gov. Espino described Robredo as “man of integrity, very decent, simple and hardworking.”

Gov. Espino said Robredo’s unswerving determination to elevate local government units to achieve high standards in public service was phenomenal.  “It will be hard to find someone who can continue what he has started for LGUs,” he said.

It will be recalled that Robredo instituted reforms in the field of local governance to chart a clearer and cleaner perspective of genuine public service.

“Under his leadership, DILG has conferred Pangasinan the Seal of Good Housekeeping in recognition of our efforts in advancing principles of accountability and transparency in local governance for 2011 with a prize of P40 million worth of projects,” the provincial chief executive said, adding “we thank him for that.”

 The Governor disclosed that Sec. Robredo showed his personal concern for Pangasinan by directly making a call to inform the people of major policy developments or to warn them about adverse weather condition.

 “The untimely death of the secretary is a big loss to Philippine government and the provincial government and the people of Pangasinan thank him for inspiring our LGU officials and our people to live a simple and dedicated life but also to aspire for high performance and excellence,” the governor said.

Robredo served as mayor of Naga City for almost two decades. During his term, he was the youngest elected mayor in the country at age 29.

            He met his untimely death last August 18 when the CESSNA plane from Cebu which transported him and his aide supposedly to Naga City crashed in Masbate Bay.