Former Budget Undersecretary Tina Canda dies at 61

Budget Undersecretary Tina Rose Canda (File photo from the website of the Department of Budget and Management)

MANILA, Philippines — Former Budget Undersecretary Tina Canda has died at the age of 61.

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman announced on Thursday.

According to Panagdaman, Canda had been diagnosed with stage-4 cancer.

However, she did not disclose the cause of Canda’s death.

“It is with deep sadness and profound loss that we, in the Department of Budget and Management, mourn the passing of one of our agency’s towers of strength, former Budget Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie L. Canda,” said Pangandaman in a statement.

“Usec. Tina joined our Creator last night, 23 August 2023, the date that supposedly marks her 41st work anniversary with the DBM,” the budget secretary disclosed.

Canda had served as DBM officer-in-charge during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“For me and a lot of her co-workers at the Department, Usec. Tina was a gentle soul with a strong, dependable character,” Pangandaman recalled.

“She was a most comforting presence in the office where she spent endless hours laboring over paper work to ensure deadlines were met,” she said.

“But she projected a certain lightheartedness, interjected with gentle laughter,” the budget secretary shared.

“She is the ultimate mentor and coach of her colleagues who become better public servants, not just through words and concepts but because of her example,” she added.

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