NAGA CITY (PIA) -- Nagueños reminisced the humbling journey of the late SILG Jesse M. Robredo yesterday, as they commemorate his 9th death anniversary at the Eternal Gardens, Aug. 18, Wed., here.
Messages recalling his good deeds, his accomplishments as a dedicated public servant and his legacy of an honest, virtuous and just leadership were heard from some Naga City officials during a simple program held right after the wreath-laying ceremony on his tomb.
SILG Robredo met his untimely demise Aug. 18, 2012 when the Piper Seneca light aircraft carrying him crashed in the shore of Masbate Island.
“Saludo kitang gayo sa liderato ni Jesse ta maski dakul ang mga angat na kinahampang kan Naga kan panahon nya, nagibo nyang tawan solusyon asin mayo syang napabayaan na aspeto nin pag gobernar.
Ini ang sistema na saiyang ipinundar, ini ang tradisyon na satuyang tradisyon na satuyang pigpapadanay asin pinapaurog ngunyan (We salute his leadership. Despite the many challenges that Naga encountered {while he was serving as Mayor}, he was able to pull through and left no aspect of governance unattended. This is the foundation of his leadership that we have adopted and continue to espouse to date),” City Mayor Nelson Legacion stated.
Vice President Leni Robredo, thru a video message, also thanked those who continue to remember his husband’s legacy every year.
VP Robredo was not able to personally come to the event, just like last year due to the on-going threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Dae ako maka tubod na 9 years na pero pag hiniling ta para kaya samuyang pamilya, ang pagmate mi, yaon lang si Jess, dae nya kami pigpapabayaan. Ano ang hinihiling kong role ko, ngunyan as far as the City of Naga is concerned. Para sakuya ang pinaka obligasyon ko, siguraduhon na si legacy ni Jess, magpa orog. Siguro ang pinaka magayon na regalo na maitatao ko ki agom, iyo si pagsiguro na si pagtubod nya, mapa orog, na si saiyang brand of governance, iyo man giraray ang nasususog (I can't believe it's been9 years now since his demise. For us, he never really left, he has always been with us. In as far as Naga City is concerned, my role is to see to it that his legacy lives on. Perhaps the best gift that I can give to my husband, is to ensure that his brand of governance goes on),” the vice president said in vernacular.
SILG Jesse’s brother, Jose “Butch” Robredo, also expressed his gratitude to everyone who made his brother’s death anniversary a meaningful one, just like the past years.
In his message, Butch recalled his brother’s simplicity, how he upholds transparency and accountability when it comes to governance and his democratic stye of consulting the people first before finalizing whatever he has in mind.
Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Gabriel Bordado, Jr., stated how fortunate he was then for being given an opportunity to serve alongside with SILG Jesse as his Vice Mayor
City Vice Mayor Cecilia “Nene” De Asis, also Sec Jesse’s long- time friend and political colleague, recalled how she was comforted and guided with Sec Jesse’s words and advices, particularly when she’s in doubt.
Before the eucharistic celebration, countless Nagueños joined the “Pedal ki Jesse” and “Tsinelas Walk” participated in by bike enthusiasts and other organizations.
LGU Naga also offered a memorial mass officiated by Fr. Ben Nebres. Nebres was Robredo’s former co-worker and helped him in carrying out educational reform and promotion of local governance. (LSM/PIA5/Camarines Sur)
