BACOLOD CITY—A three-term mayor of La Castellana town, Negros Occidental province died on the way to a hospital after a cardiac arrest on Monday (June 13).
Dr. Enrico Elumba was 68.
His nephew, Fernando, said Elumba complained of chest pains at home in La Castellana and asked to be brought to the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod where he was declared dead on arrival.
Mayor Rhumyla Mangilimutan said she ordered the Philippine flag in La Castellana flown at half-staff in honor of Elumba starting on Tuesday (June 14).
Elumba served as mayor of La Castellana for three terms from 1998 to 2007.
He returned to private medical practice where he was known as a doctor to the poor.
Elumba, known as “Dok” to the people of La Castellana and patients from neighboring towns and the hinterlands of the fifth district, served his people well, said former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela in a Facebook post.
Coscolluela described the former mayor as a good man, trusted friend, loyal ally, true servant leader, outstanding mayor and doting grandfather.
Elumba ran for vice governor of Negros Occidental in 2010 as Coscolluela’s running mate.
Elumba’s friend, Efren Gerardino, said the former mayor’s practice as a community doctor opened for him the door to politics and local governance.
Elumba was survived by his wife, Josephine, and their children Enrico Jr., Eric Keith, Era Mae and Erikka.
His body lies in state at the Acropolis Gardens in Bacolod City.