Dingle Mayor Solinap dies
Mayor Robin Solinap, 63, of Dingle, Iloilo, succumbed to myocardial infraction on Christmas day at the Iloilo Doctors Hospital (IDH) with his close relatives and supporters around.
Solinap according to reports was busy attending various social obligations scheduled last Saturday. Earlier he attended an Alumni Homecoming at Matias Central Elementary School; followed by a Gift Giving Party in Brgy. Ilahas, Dingle.
In the afternoon he had meeting with his constituents at Dingle Public Market when he started complaining of dizziness and fatigue upon arriving at his residence.
At eight in the evening he started to suffer from short breathing and was immediately rushed to Iloilo Doctors Hospital.
Initially, attending physician diagnosed Solinap suffering from bronchopneumonia, "an inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection."
Solinap was given 48 hours chance to survive his critical condition but eventually succumbed to a massive heart failure.
On the same day Solinap was admitted to IDH, Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr. paid him a visit.
Tupas said, Solinap was gripping his hand firmly as if the latter, apparently already in critical condition was trying to convey a message.
Solinap, a member of Lakas Party, was already in his third and last term. He was enjoying a massive political support from his constituents and believed to be on his reelection victory in the forthcoming 2007 elections, Tupas revealed.
Solinap was well loved and respected by his constituents and left a legacy of good governance.
His vice-mayor Revlon Luntao Lacson, 57, married with three grown-up kids, failed to control her emotions when interviewed by the press yesterday, at the New Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
Prior to his death, Solinap has been complaining of chest pain a week earlier but failed to seek medical attentions.
Solinap had managed to attend the Pagdayaw 2006, Awards Ceremony, Wednesday, December 20, 2006, sponsored by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the cleanest and greenest province in Region VI, held at Grand Hotel
Lacson took her oath of office as the new mayor of Dingle administered by Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr. as witnessed by Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Cabaluna, Provincial Planning Development Office Head Mario Nillos and OIC HRMDO Alma Ravena.
Lacson who belonged to Ugyon-Liberal Party is married to Perseus Lacson, a chief engineer of Starlight Ferry Company owned and managed by Alfonso Cusi, General Manager of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Lacson, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Education from Philippine Women's College, now West Visayas State University Hospital, was all praises for the late mayor.
"He is a good manager and left a legacy worth keeping for his own town and his constituents. We are close to each other. Though we belonged to different rival parties, yet we had respect for each other," said Lacson.
"I will finish his project together with the cooperation of all the Sangguniang Bayan members," added Lacson.
"Let us all unite for the sake of Mayor Solinap and for the town of Dingle," concluded Lacson.
By her own admission, Lacson belonged to a political clan, having her older brother Dr. Erben Luntao also a former of Dingle and a younger brother Teodoro Luntao, an incumbent and graduating mayor of Sto. Niño, South Cotabato in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, Gov. Tupas publicly pledged to finish the projects of Solinap; significantly the National Dingle Comprehensive High School was the latter's appeal.
After the presscon, Tupas, together withLacson and members of the local media, proceeded to Somo Memorial Homes at Delgado Street to pay Solinap's remains a visit.
(NELSON C. ROBLES)