Salimbangon, Samboan mayor die
The man who was considered as the “father” and the “savior” of Cebu’s fourth congressional district passed away at the age of 75 after two years of battling lung cancer.
Former congressman Benhur Salimbangon died at around 3:00 p.m. of December 24, leaving four siblings, seven children, 12 grandchildren and his wife, now Representative Janice.
His son, Tabogon town Councilor Francis Salimbangon, disclosed that his father was actually diagnosed with the lung cancer on September 2018 while he was still the incumbent congressman.
Benhur had been active in the campaign for his wife, now incumbent Representative Janice Salimbangon, and all his local candidates in the fourth district for the 2019 elections.
“So all this time pag-campaign iya ra na gidala-dala,” Francis told The Freeman.
Francis said they were so blessed that all of them, children and grandchildren, were with him until his last breath at St. Luke Medical Center in Quezon City.
His remains lie in Barangay Curva covered court in Medellin, his hometown, but will be transferred to Crystal Palace of Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City tomorrow until Tuesday and will be buried on December 30 at the family-owned Mactan Island Memorial Garden in Lapu-Lapu City.
“Benhur was a loving brother, doting husband, guiding father, and caring Lolo. He was the father of the 4th district, the visionary of the North, and a true champion of public service - the epitome of commitment, integrity, and character. His memories will be forever etched in our hearts and his legacy will live on in the lives he had touched,” said his daughter, Marie Daphne, and son, Francis, in their respective Facebook post.
Medellin Mayor Joven “Benjun” Mondigo Jr. also in his Facebook page described the late congressman as an authentic servant-leader who envisioned the fast-paced growth and development of the fourth district of Cebu and has accomplished much more than as expected.
“Congressman Benhur left us his clear example of what a real father of the district should be. He showed us that humility can go well with excellence, integrity in all aspects of governance, and believing that every dream can become a reality if the true purpose is to uplift the quality of lives of the constituency,” the mayor added.
“It is with great sadness as I learned of the passing of a great man, a remarkable man who dedicated an extraordinary life to public service - an inspiration and a pillar of good governance,” said Sta. Fe Mayor Ithamar Espinosa posted in the town’s Facebook page.
Espinosa said that throughout Salimbangon’s political career, even to his critical times and up to his last breath he has displayed his inspirational eloquence which reminds us of his advocacy of persistence, that “we must not tire, we must not give up.”
Among Salimbangon’s accomplishments include the Aisle of Medellin, establishment of school campus, billion worth of road/bridge projects, establishments of medical, hospital, burial, educational assistance programs, dredging of Hagnaya Port in San Remigio, completion of Maya Port in Daanbantayan, establishment of jetty ports in the islands of Malapascua and Kinatarcan, among others.
Salimbangon also planned to put up Medellin airport and economic zone, an effort that is now being pursued by his wife, Janice, the incumbent congresswoman of the district.
“Ipadayon what he started, mao jud iya sige balik-balik na mahaw-as jud ang katawhan sa kalisud. Mao na iya jud giuna mga infrastructures, roads, water systems, ports para dali na pagsulod sa negosyo ug businessmen,” Francis further said.
Prior to entering politics, Benhur, an engineer by profession, was the general manager of Cebu Electric Cooperative.
He was first elected as member of the Cebu Provincial Board for one term in 1995 to 1998. He returned into political arena in 2007 until 2019 as congressman.
Samboan mayor
Meanwhile, Samboan Mayor Emerito Calderon, Sr. also passed away at the age of 88 years old last December 23 due to heart failure.
Calderon was on his second term as mayor of the Municipality of Samboan.
He was survived by his spouse, the former vice governor of Cebu and former mayor of Samboan Beatriz Durano Calderon, and their six children: Marissa Jude Calderon-Alazas, Seventh District Representative Peter John Calderon, Samboan’s Association of Barangay Council’s president Raymond Joseph Calderon, then Vice Mayor Emerito Emmanuel “Doc Tito” Calderon, Jr., Atty. Emmeline Calderon-David and Alyssa Calderon-Roska, as well as sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.
He represented the old fifth congressional district of Cebu in the 7th Congress. The district was then comprised of the towns of Alcantara, Alegria, Badian, Boljoon, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Moalboal, Oslob, Samboan, and Santander.
He was also a member of the Batasang Pambansa during the 1984 elections, also served as the duly elected partylist representative of the Philippine Coconut Producers Federation (Cocofed) for two consecutive terms in the 12th and 13th Congresses.
During the Marcos era, the Calderon was appointed Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications. He was a lawyer by profession, a business entrepreneur, and a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law Class of 1955.
His son, Vice Mayor Emerito “Doc Tito” Calderon Jr. has assumed office as mayor while Councilor Irving Gamallo assumed the position as vice mayor of Samboan. —