The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), together with all of our attached agencies, mourn the passing of our Negros Occidental Provincial Director Atty. Ferdinand Panes due to COVID-19 infection leading to a heart attack on October 29, 2020.
As a frontliner, PD Panes’ life was true to our dictum of Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahan brand of leadership in Western Visayas. He was a beacon of excellence in his quest to deliver public service to the Negrenses and all other LGUs he was assigned to.
True to his calling as a public servant and despite the danger posed by the coronavirus, especially to people of his age, he braved the threat of the pandemic every single day if only to serve the people.
We extend our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family and loved ones in this darkest of times as we assure them that all necessary assistance and benefits will be accorded to them. We will honor Panes’ legacy and years of dedicated service by doubling our efforts to shepherd local governments and the public to strictly observe minimum health protocols as the country begins to heal and recovers as one.*