Aumentado’s remains arrive in Tagbilaran

TAGBILARAN CITY , Philippines – Sympathy and condolences poured in for the bereaved family of the late 2nd district Rep. Erico Boyles Aumentado from hundreds of Boholanos who saw the unloading of the casket, bearing his remains, from a PAL plane that arrived at the airport here at 1 p.m. yesterday (Dec. 29).

The flight home of the congressman’s remains was accompanied by his widow Greenie, his son Aris, his sisters and other relatives.

Minutes after the casket was lowered from the plane’s cargo compartment, Fr. Jeffrey Malanog blessed the remains in the presence of city and provincial officials, led by Vice Mayor Jas Tirol-Montes and Gov. Edgar Chatto, with municipal mayors and other officials.

After side plane honors, executed by the Special Forces of the Armed Forces of Philippines based in Bilar town, Aumentado was brought to his hometown in Ubay, about 125 kms. northeast from the city via a funeral caravan that made a series of stopovers in every town in passes.

After several days of wake in Ubay, the remains of Aumentado will be transported back to his house at Calceta Street in Tagbilaran, and will be interred on January 5, 2013 at the Victoria Memorial Park in this city after a series of nightly vigil by different sectors of the Bohol community, according to Antonietto Pernia, the congressman’s close aide.

The late congressman’s public service spanned over 40 years in various capacities: as PB member, vice governor, congressman and governor for three terms each and then congressman recently until his death. He was then deputy House Speaker and president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP).

He was instrumental in the realization of mega-infrastructure projects that Bohol now is enjoying, such as the dams in Ubay, Pilar and San Miguel towns, the 200-km Bohol Circumferential Road and the Bohol-Leyte Interconnection Project for more power supply.

Former Tagbilaran City Mayor  Jose Torralba said: “Napatunhay ug nagdaghan ang turismo sa Bohol tungod ni Aumentado. His efforts sa infrastructure, such in airport development, dams and roads, must be given recognition. Patay na siya, apan, nagpabilin ang iyang mithi ug hiyas nga atong mahimong panaminan.”

Peter Dejaresco, manager of DyRD radio, said: “Aumentado was the best salesman for Bohol. He was a man of action and determination. He’s focus on what he was doing. His time (being the governor) tourism in Bohol has taken off through the sales blitz.”

Former Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan of Panglao town said that when Aumentado was governor of Bohol he made the province the number one tourist destination for three (2011-2002-2003) years in the country.

Former Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera said:  “We’re saddened; we  lost a great leader.”

The Provincial Board last Friday unanimously approved a resolution expressing condolence to the family of Aumentado. (FREEMAN)