Del Mar hails Solon as honest, diligent

CEBU, Philippines — Diligent, honest and a compassionate public official.

That is how Cebu City North District Representative Raul V. Del Mar described former mayor Dr. Florentino S.  Solon during the latter’s reign as the city’s chief executive.

“To us Cebuanos, he was best known as the diligent, honest  and compassionate city chief executive, who  looked and sounded like he’d be happier treating the sick and keeping  the country’s  children healthy but he did his job as well as he could,” Del Mar said.

“To members of the media, he was always patient, taking criticism civilly, though it must have pained him when he didn’t deserve it. To many of his constituents, he listened to what they had to say about how to govern and how could serve them better,” he said.

Solon – who died last Wednesday, June 18, at 88 – was the city’s 20th mayor, from 1978 to 1983. 

But before he was mayor, he had served as municipal health officer in Cebu, executive director of the National Nutrition Council, and president and executive director of the Nutrition Center of the Philippines.

Solon, a doctor of medicine who graduated from University of Santo Tomas and a master in public health from University of the Philippines Manila, was best known as the country’s “champion of nutrition,”  working for the improvement of the nation’s public health system.

Following his term as mayor, Solon served as deputy minister of health, president and CEO of Impact Foundation, and vice chairman of Asia-Pacific Impact Foundation.

“I had known him personally before I became a public official. He impressed me as an authentic leader and a warm human being, a non-nonsense government official who didn’t confuse noise with wisdom and didn’t mistake movement for action,” Del Mar said

“Cebuanos have lost a true public servant and friend,” he added.

Meanwhile, the National Nutrition Council-7 said Solon’s remarkable contribution had been vital to the country’s nutrition program, which has helped millions of children and families achieve proper nutrition.

“He will continue to be our inspiration in our journey toward a well-nourished, healthier, and more productive nation. Dr. Solon, daghang salamat for your dedication, service, and love for the country! You will be greatly missed,” the NNC-7 said.  LPM (FREEMAN)