Ex-governor dela Serna succumbs to lung cancer

CEBU, Philippines —  Twelve days before his 67th birthday, former Cebu governor Vicente "Tingting" dela Serna died of lung cancer past midnight yesterday.

He was 66.

He will be laid to rest tomorrow morning at the Cebu Memorial Park Cemetery in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City.

It was only in September last year when the politician learned about his ailment and underwent chemotherapy.

His family told dyAB that it was dela Serna’s wish to be buried immediately. He left behind three daughters and a son.

Dela  Serna served as governor from 1992 to 1995. He ran again for governor in 1995 but lost to former governor Pablo Garcia.

Dela Cerna also served as congressman of Cebu’s Sixth District.

He was instrumental in starting the talks of the 93-1 ordinance at the Provincial Board along with then board member Benhur Salimbangon.

The ordinance identified the lots in Cebu City that are owned by the provincial government.

After the lots were identified and realizing that about 5,000 Cebu City residents live on these properties, Capitol started talking with the city government on a land swap deal.

The conversation lasted 25 years and it was only in August 2018 that the deal with sealed.

Provincial Ordinance No. 93-1 also provided a scheme for Cebu City residents to pay monthly amortization for them to own the province-owned lot that they have been staying for many years.

“For me, he is the real 93-1 hero and I give recognition to that. The city should give recognition to that. I consider him a true advocate of urban poor and informal settlers,” Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella told The FREEMAN.

Councilor Joel Garganera said he will keep in mind dela Serna’s words that the 93-1 deal would not have been possible if leaders chose politics over real negotiations.

“Balikon nako ang iyahang istorya nako nga dili gyud ma-materialize ang 93-1 kung kanunay kani i-politicize ug, ang ika-duha, dili affordable ang presyo sa luna,” he said.

He described as phenomenal dela Serna’s rise from the ranks.

“Yano nga tao… gani, ang iyang pagsaka sa politika talagsaon. Gikan sa OIC mayor sa Mandaue, nahimong congressman sa Mandaue, dayon gobernador sa Sugbo sa sulod lang sa unom ka tuig. Phenomenal so to speak,” he said.

Labella and Governor Hilario Davide III described dela Serna as a friend and a public servant with a heart for the urban poor.

"He will be remembered as an honest and compassionate leader whose genuine concern for the people, especially the poor, we should all emulate," Davide said.

Labella said dela Serna was team manager when he was captain ball of the basketball team of the University of San Carlos law school. — /JMO (FREEMAN)