A dedicated public servant: DILG mourns death of ex-undersecretary Andanar
By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday, April 23, condoled with the family of its former undersecretary, Wencelito Andanar, who died due to liver cancer.
In a statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said Andanar left an “indelible mark’’ in the agency with his dedication in the improvement and welfare of the local government units (LGUs) and the general public.
“He will be remembered in the DILG as one of its most dynamic undersecretaries who served with conviction and integrity from 2001 to 2007,’’ Año said of Andanar, who perished on April 22.
Foremost among his government positions was his appointment by President Duterte as special envoy to Malaysia in 2018, the last post he held in government service.
Despite battling his own health problems, Año noted that Andanar was instrumental in helping in the repatriation of overseas Filipinos in Malaysia amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Known to many as “Wency”, Año said Andanar’s work and life has inspired many in their own personal quest to serve the public, including his own son Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar.
“We are honored to have known and worked with him in improving the lives of our people, good local governance, and public order and safety in our country. I am honored to have known him as a close friend. Rest well in the arms of our Lord and Creator, my friend and colleague in public service. You will be missed dearly,’’ Año said.