Farewell, RRD!

Tearful eulogies, banners, testimonies 

mark the burial day

                "Roger made me who I am in politics." Former City Mayor Eugenio "Bong" Lacson tearfully delivered a eulogy during the necrological service for Former Mayor Rogelio R.  Debulgado organized by the Local Government Unit at the San Carlos City Hall on March 12, the morning before the burial.

                During the service, Jose Marie Zabaleta of the San Julio Realty, Inc., City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, Vice-Mayor Edgardo Quisumbing, and City Administrator Fransisco Tolcidas also delivered their eulogies replete with praises, reminisces, and farewell to the leader who obviously endeared himself in the hearts of both the masses and fellow politicians.

His monuments

                Valmayor and Tolcidas both mentioned the most important contribution of RRD which is putting "San Carlos in the map of the world" with the Eco-Tourism Highway, the major artery that now connects Panay, Negros and Cebu Islands with the city as the hub.

                Pointing out that the late mayor was a UP-Los Baños trained agronomist, Tolcidas added that RRD was the champion of agriculture advocacies and ordinances and had institutionalized tree planting.

PB, SP condolences

                The Provincial Board and the Sangguniang Panlungsod gave RRD's widow, former first lady Victoria T. Debulgado, Resolutions of Condolence. The Provincial Resolution of Condolence was read and awarded to Mrs. Debulgado by Provincial Board Member Renato Gustilo. Both resolutions were salute and praises to the achievements of RRD as a professional, a citizen and a civic leader.

The burial

                On the afternoon, a thick crowd of San Carlos residents attended the Requiem Mass at the San Carlos Borromeo Cathedral and followed the funeral procession to the San Carlos Memorial Park, Barangay Rizal.

                The entire stretch of the Fatima Village along the Eco-Tourism Highway was crowded with people who experienced the public service of RRD. Many of them were once informal settlers who were given the chance to own homes and lots at the relocation area better known to many as "Urban."

                "Si Mayor RRD makatao. Maong among gitawag ug Bayani ng Maralita," said Ronaldo Castillo, 50, who once lived in the Public Cemetery in Barangay IV. Castillo added that before he and his neighbors were relocated in May 1994, Mayor Roger used to invite them to join his entire family during Christmas parties and that Fatima Village is the greatest help he had given the urban poor.

                Roque Cosio, 58, was also an illegal settler in Barangay III before their community was razed by fire. RRD was first to arrive to rescue the victims and helped them relocate, he recalled. The banners they set up on the roadside spoke of their gratitude and their promise that they will never forget their beloved mayor.

                At around three in the afternoon, RRD's golden casket was interred to the tomb in the Debulgado Family mausoleum. The tomb is right beside his daughter's. Mayor Debulgado was finally laid to rest after the religious rights, flag ceremony (when the Philippine Flag was handed to wife Victoria by Valmayor), and the gun salute by San Carlos Policemen.

                SP Member Rommel Debulgado, RRD's son, thanked all the people who sympathized with the bereaved family and for those who showed their love to the fallen local leader. Rommel described that his father was "confident" that he would overcome the challenge of the triple heart by-pass.

                His last message for his father was, "We will take care of Mama and we will live life as you would want us to live. Go on with your journey."