CEBU CITY—A “week of mourning” has been declared here “in recognition and acknowledgment of the many contributions” of Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar, who passed away Monday night in a hospital in Manila.
READ MORE: Cebu City Rep. Raul del Mar passes away at 79
“I am declaring a week of mourning throughout Cebu City from November 17 to 22 through Executive Order No. 106,” said City Mayor Edgardo Labella.
“Congressman del Mar served as north district representative for 27 years and, during this period, sponsored bills and resolutions that resulted in projects and programs that benefited a lot of Cebuanos,” Labella added.
Labella called on Cebuanos not to forget the Del Mar’s great contribution to the development of the city.
“A grateful city deeply mourns his passing. Throughout the week, I am ordering all government agencies, offices, and installations within the City of Cebu to lower their Philippine flag at half-mast,” Labella said.
Former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña also paid tribute Del Mar, who was his long-time partymate at the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).
“Raul del Mar served eight plus terms as a representative of Cebu City. In 27 years of public service, Raul was so diligent that he didn’t have even a single absence as congressman. I witnessed his personal resolve when he insisted on attending a session even after an operation. I had to help him carry his intravenous bottle as he dragged himself to the Session Hall. This conviction is the hallmark of what makes Raul Del Mar who he is,” said Osmeña in his Facebook page.
Osmeña recognized Del Mar as “one of the founding fathers of Cebu's growth” after sponsoring the law creating the Cebu Port Authority and the Mactan Airport Authority.
“Raul del Mar did more than his share. He fought our traditionally capital-centric government for resources other cities outside the NCR (National Capital Region) could only dream of. He was a trusted warrior who fought for Cebu and stood beside BOPK since 1988 through all the ups and downs. I am proud to call him my cousin,” Osmeña said.