Nueva Vizcaya Governor Carlos Padilla
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) have paid tribute to Nueva Vizcaya Governor Carlos Padilla who died on Friday, saying that the late official was an epitome of a dedicated public servant.
In a statement on Friday, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said that the DILG family is extending condolences to Padilla’s family saying that the former governor had dedicated a “huge part of his life” to serve his constituents.
Garcia passed away earlier this morning due to heart attack, his friends and relatives said. He was 78.
READ: Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla; 78
“His passion and commitment to public service cannot be overemphasized as he initiated landmark legislation such as free secondary education and the creation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Commission on Philippine Languages,” Abalos said.
“His commitment to provide quality and accessible education for his constituents also inspired him to establish 45 high schools in his home province, and he was also instrumental in the establishment of the Nueva Vizcaya State University. Indeed, Padilla’s life was an inspiration not just to the people of Nueva Vizcaya but to other fellow public servants around the country,” he added.
LPP, meanwhile, said that the governors of the country have also expressed their sympathies to the bereaved family, adding that they have approved a resolution to send their condolences.
“The governors have collectively and individually expressed their condolences to the Padilla family through a resolution approved by the LPP, and described his passing away as having left a huge dent as an irreplaceable forebearer in their lives,” LPP said.
“At the same time, the LPP conveyed its eternal gratitude to Gov. Padilla for his dedicated and committed service to the Filipino people,” it added.
Padilla was in his third and last term as Nueva Vizcaya governor, a post he held since his first election in 2016. Prior to that, he also represented the lone district of Nueva Vizcaya for 29 years.
READ: Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Padilla wins 3rd term
In the 16th Congress, Padilla also served as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. Among the bills he co-authored and supported is the Free High School Act of 1988 which eventually turned into Republic Act No. 6655, and R.A. No. 6728 which provided different forms of government assistance to students and teachers in private education.
“Gov. Padilla had been a paragon of public service for his dedicated and exemplary service; and remained tireless and resolute in serving his constituents without fear or favor,” the resolution stated.