Local execs told: Emulate Robredo

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Emulate and serve at the exemplary level set by the late Interior Secretary  Jesse Robredo.

This was the challenged hurled Wednesday at local government officials by the president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (Ulap).

“He set the highest standards of public service that are so important to transparent and effective local government,” said Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali Jr. in a press statement. “He gave all local officials strength and inspiration.”

Umali,  who is also president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) recalled Robredo’s support for programs of local government units, especially the millennium development goals.

Umali led a team of governors who attended the funeral service for Robredo in Naga City on Tuesday. Among them were Ulap-LPP national chairman Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, LPP secretary general Governor Josephine Sato, and Governors Joseph Cua, Jericho Petilla, Jocel Baac, Adolph Edward Plaza, Migs Dominguez, Edgardo Tallado, Toto Mangudadatu, Faustino Dy III and Damian Mercado.

Palawan Governor Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra also cited Robredo’s leadership by example, saying, “He urged all local officials to walk the daang matuwid (straight path).”

The Ulap head earlier eulogized Robredo as a “straight, dedicated, hardworking and objective” public servant who led by example. Praising his leadership, Umali said Robredo  “listened to all before giving straightforward answers and advice.”

“He always returned phone calls or found time to answer calls no matter how busy he was,” he added.