Town commemorates 1st death anniversary of Mayor Yabes

MAITUM, Sarangani (November 13, 2007) – Slain exactly a year ago, Mayor George Yabes was remembered Sunday, November 11, by constituents and local officials for his legacy of love to children and public service.

"Mayor Yabes would have been the next governor of Sarangani," Governor Migs Dominguez said.

A thousand of close family friends, relatives, students and local officials gathered at the municipal hall to remember the late mayor.

Yabes had been mayor in Maitum for three consecutive terms but he was killed months before finishing his last term.

As mayor for nine years, his dedication as public servant made the municipality recipient of the country's most child-friendly and Galing Pook awards.

"He paved the way for Maitum's progress," Mayor Elsie Perrett said. "He made my job easier and I owe him a lot."

"Siya ay nagsilbing modelo para sa aming mga kabataan, modelong dapat naming tularan," high school student Charie Ann del Rosario told a commemorative program.

Yabes was shot dead by three suspected gun men in November 11 last year, a Saturday, while inspecting some local government projects in poblacion.

"Obviously, he wanted to do more, but that was his destiny - to die for his community," said the mayor's widow, Rose Yabes.

"He cared so much for children. Maitum children have been a part of his everyday life. George have deposited into their memory the importance of caring and building their future," Mrs. Yabes said.

The George Y. Yabes Maternity Home was unveiled during the day. The project was finished last year with shared funds from the provincial and municipal government. The town's Galing Pook cash award of 100,000 last year was also donated for the project.

The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has donated P1.5 million worth of modern equipment like Doppler, birthing table, for the maternity home to help prevent maternal death among Muslim and T'boli mothers who are its main patients. (SARANGANI NIFORMATION OFFICE/RGP)