Cotabato City mourns demise of city councilor

Photo courtesy of Cotabato City Councilor Marouf “Pabo” Ayunan Pasawiran

COTABATO CITY – The Philippine flag now flies at half-mast in front of the Cotabato City Hall as the local government here mourns the passing of one of the members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod on Sunday.

Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Bruce Matabalao said this is to honor the life and contributions of Dr. Danda Juanday, former city administrator and, before his death, a member of the city council.

Former Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi announced the passing of Juanday via her Facebook page on Sunday.

Guiani-Sayadi wrote: “Today, I lost a very strong pillar of our family. Uncle Dan, my mother’s brother, joined our creator. No words can describe how I feel right now… I am in so much pain.”

Guiani-Sayadi described Juanday as one official who was passionate about his work.

“Days before he died, Dr. Juanday was named as one of the Ten Outstanding Bridging Leaders of the Asian Institute of Management,” she added.

Juanday is seeking re-election in this year’s local elections.

During Monday’s convocation of Cotabato City Hall, employees paid tribute to Juanday, describing him as “a beacon of leadership and dedication consistently serving with integrity, passion and deep commitment to the progress of Cotabato City.”

Vice Mayor Butch Abu described Juanday as a dedicated public servant with integrity who served the people of the city regardless of their political, cultural and religious affiliations.

They said Juanday’s contribution has “left an indelible mark on our governance and life of the people he has touched.”

Hashim Manticayan, president of League of Bangsamoro Organizations (LBO) where Juanday served as member of the Supreme Council representing the medical society, described the late councilor as “a compassionate and committed leader who devoted his life to serving the Bangsamoro region, uplifting its people, and advocating for their health and welfare.”

Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Abduraof Macacua said Juanday was a former executive director of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), the economic arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), established in 2002 under the 2001 Government and MILF Tripoli Agreement, to determine and manage relief, rehabilitation and development in the conflict-affected communities in Mindanao.

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“His dedication to governance and the welfare of the Bangsamoro serves as an inspiration to all of us,” Macacua said.