Former president Fidel Ramos during a visit to Bacolod City flanked by then governors Emilio Osmeña of Cebu and Rafael Coscolluela of Negros Occidental (right).*
Negros Occidental and Bacolod City officials lauded former president Fidel Ramos who passed away on Sunday, July 31, for bringing renewed economic growth and political stability to the Philippines.
Ramos, who was 94, was the 12th president of the Philippines serving from 1992 to 1998.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Negros Occidental, together with the entire country, is saddened by the passing of the former president.
“He will be remembered for his peace agreements, for encouraging family planning practices, bringing about economic reforms which led to the deregulation of major industries and renewed investor confidence in the country,” Lacson said.
It was during Ramos’ time that that the country was recognized as the promising “tiger economy” of Asia. He also led the way to political stability despite the several coup attempts during the Aquino administration, he added.
“His legacy of astute leadership and service will always be honored by the entire nation,” Lacson said.
“On behalf of the people of Negros Occidental, I extend my prayers and deepest sympathies to the Ramos family,” he said.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez, who also conveyed his condolences to the Ramos family, said “he was one of those who I admired as a leader”.
Former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela said Ramos was “one of our most hands-on Presidents, and certainly one of the most grounded and effective. He knew almost every part of the country like the back of his hand.”
Under Ramos presidency the Philippines witnessed renewed economic growth and political stability, said Coscolluela, who was governor during the entire six-year presidency of Ramos.
“I considered him truly deserving of the respect and admiration accorded him by local governments,” Coscolluela said.
Coscolluela said “Tabaco as we used to call him, was a decorated soldier who became 5-star general, EDSA hero, Chief of Staff, Defense Secretary and President, truly a dedicated public servant, astute politician and accomplished leader. I would have voted for him again if the Constitution allowed it, but it was not to be so”.
Ramos was never shy with firm handshakes and his trademark thumbs up and his battlecry “Kaya natin ‘to!” Coscolluela said.
It was during the Ramos presidency that Negros Occidental’s Panaad Sports Stadium was built in Bacolod City for the 1998 Palarong Pambansa, he added.
Many other projects were also provided to Negros Occidental under Ramos’ social reform agenda, Coscolluela said.
Former Bacolod mayor Monico Puentevella said “In some ways, what I have achieved in my sports and political life, I also greatly credit to this workaholic servant leader”.
Former Bacolod mayor Evelio Leonardia said Ramos’ demise is a great loss not only to his family but also to the entire Filipino nation which he served exemplarily.
“He was a man of action and was credited for the transformation of the sprawling Fort Bonifacio, an idle government property, into a bustling city that it is today. On a macro level, he ushered the Philippines from being the ‘Sick Man of Asia’ into a ‘Tiger Economy’”, he added.*