THE municipal government of Isabela in Negros Occidental declared a state of mourning following the death of Mayor Enrique Montilla III.
The mayor died of pneumonia leading to cardiac arrest Thursday, April 13. He was 57.
He is survived by his wife Irene, and children Alberto, Juan Miguel, and Enrique.
In a press conference at the mayor’s wake in Rolling Hills Memorial Chapels, Bacolod City Sunday, his younger brother, Councilor Patrick Miguel Montilla, said the Sangguniang Bayan held a special session on Sunday to pass a resolution declaring a two-day state of mourning starting Monday.
He said the remains of the mayor will be brought to Isabela today.
A mass will then be held at San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church at 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, followed by his burial at the family mausoleum in Barangay Ubay, Pulupandan town.
Councilor Montilla said the town’s fiesta is coming up and they will push through with the plans.
He vowed to continue the programs and projects implemented by his late brother as he hoped that the town officials will “set aside personal matters” and continue to work for development.
Montilla was reelected for a second term during the May 2016 elections.
He joined politics in 1988 and was elected board member of the Fifth District. He made a comeback in 2013 when he ran for mayor unopposed.
Legacy
The late mayor’s wife Irene said that her husband’s education program for his constituents is the “cornerstone of his mayorship.”
“He has a desire to help many people especially the youth. He believes that education is a path to success. That is his greatest legacy,” she added.
To date, Montilla has 1,500 college scholars both in public and private schools.
Mrs. Montilla described the mayor as a “loving father, loving husband, and spoiler of our children,” adding that her husband had enjoyed his life as a public servant because he wanted to help many people and improve their lives.
Their eldest son, 21-year-old Albert, said he misses his father a lot.
He added his father wanted them to “continue living our lives and do good to others.”
Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, meanwhile, said the death of Montilla is a personal loss for him.
“He was not only a colleague in public service but a friend who watched my back during our elementary school days,” he added.
Lacson said despite Montilla’s failing health, continued to serve his constituents and helped many people in Isabela.
Vice Mayor Joselito Malabor will take over Montilla’s post, based on the rule of succession of the Local Government Code.
Montilla was the third municipal mayor in Negros Occidental who passed away due to an illness after securing fresh mandates in last year’s polls.
In October last year, Cauayan Mayor Jerry Tabujara succumbed to a liver ailment at Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Manila.
San Enrique Mayor Mario Magno died of multiple organ failure days after he was proclaimed in May 2016.