Rosario, Cavite Mayor Jose "Nonong" Ricafrente has passed away on Friday (December 11). He was 72.
In a Facebook post, Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla condoled with the Ricafrente family and with Rosario residents.
"Higit sa lahat, hindi namin matutumbasan ang pamumuno at paglilingkod na iyong inilaan sa iyong mga kababayan na tunay mong minahal at pinagsilbihan ng buong katapatan. Nawa'y matagpuan mo ang walang hanggang kapayapaan at kaligayahan sa piling ng Poong Maykapal! Sa iyong mga naiwan at naulila, ang aming taos-pusong pakikiramay (Above all, we cannot match the leadership and service you gave to your constituents whom you truly loved and served with all sincerity. May you find eternal peace and happiness with God! To your bereaved loved ones, our heartfelt condolences)," Revilla wrote.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Cavite Chapter also paid tribute to Ricafrente, a former member of its Board of Directors.
" are saddened by the demise of Mayor Jose "Nonong" M. Ricafrente, Jr. Your PRC Cavite Chapter family will surely miss you and all your good deeds in service to humanity," PRC Cavite wrote.
"We are grateful to be with you in your journey and by providing a big heart for public service," it added.
Ricafrente was Rosario mayor from 1992 to 1998, 2007 to 2016, and from 2019. He also served as vice mayor from 2016 to 2019.
He was among the recipients of the Civil Service Commission's (CSC) Pagasa Awards in 2013.
Ricafrente will be remembered for transforming a dump site into a public beach, La Isla Bonita Salinas, and for executing the "land for the landless" program, the Rosario water system, and the Rosario Lying-In Clinic.
The long-time mayor also composed "Himno ng Rosario" (Hymn of Rosario).
Vice Mayor Voltaire Ricafrente III, the mayor's son, will assume his post.
The wake will be held at the Ricafrente Compound.