Former Gov. Tomas N. Joson III of Nueva Ecija. CONTRIBUTED
SAN ISIDRO, Nueva Ecija—One of the most prominent political figures in Nueva Ecija and patriarch of the province’s most known political clan, former governor Tomas N. Joson III, died on Thursday (July 23), according to his family. He was 72.
The cause of Joson’s death was not immediately known.
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of our dearly loved, Papa/Lolo Gov. Tomas N. Joson III,” said his son and former Nueva Ecija Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson.
The former governor, fondly called by people of Nueva Ecija as Governor Tommy, was the eldest son of former guerilla officer and late Gov. Eduardo “Tatang” Joson of Quezon town.
He started his political career as a member of the provincial board in 1980 and became vice governor until his election as Nueva Ecija’s chief executive from 1992-1995 and 1998-2007.
Annaliza Eugenio, former provincial tourism officer, said Joson empowered farmers here through the establishment of Nueva Ecija Federation of Dairy Carabao Cooperative “that boosted the dairy industry in the province.”
The dairy cooperative became the provincial government’s machinery in fighting malnutrition through a milk feeding program, Eugenio said.