Dy remembers Cua as public servant who always put Quirino province first

MANILA, Philippines – Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III remembered late Quirino governor Dakila “Dax” Cua as a public official who consistently prioritized the needs of his province ahead of his own.

In his eulogy at Cua’s necrological service for Cua on Monday, Dy said that he always considered Cua not only a friend but a younger brother in public service. Dy said Cua always addressed him “Manong Bojie”. Both legislators came from Cagayan valley.

READ: Quirino governor dies at 48; remembered for 25-year public service

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“Kaibigan ko si Dax. Isang taong aking iginalang, pinahalagahan, at kalaunan ay itinuring kong parang nakababatang kapatid sa paglilingkod sa bayan. At may isang bagay tungkol kay Dax na siguro habang buhay kong maaalala.  Ang tawag niya sa akin ay ‘Manong Bojie’,” Dy said.

(Dax is my friend.  A person I respected, cared for, and eventually I considered as a younger brother in public service.  And one of the things that I will remember about Dax for the rest of my life is how he always called me ‘Manong Bojie’.)

Last Tuesday, Cua’s family announced that he had passed at the age of 48.  Cua was governor of Quirino during the time of his death.

Dy recalled that whenever Cua sought his help, his requests were always for projects benefiting Quirino and its residents.

One such request was the completion of a sports facility in the province. While it might appear to be an ordinary government project, Dy said Cua saw it as an investment in young athletes and an opportunity for Quirino’s youth.

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Dy said one of the things Cua asked for help with was a sports facility in Quirino, which to many might seem like a simple matter.  However, the Speaker said that Cua saw the significance of this project as it can help athletes from his province.

“Perhaps to some, it is simply another government project.  But to Dax, it represented something more,” Dy said.

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“It meant opportunities for young people.  A place where athletes could dream.  A facility that the people of Quirino could call their own,” he added.

He assured his family and constituents that the House will continue working for Quirino and his brand of service will not stop even after his death.

“Kaya Dax, saan ka man naroroon ngayon, gusto kong malaman mo na narinig ko ang iyong hiling.  At hindi natin hahayaang matapos ang iyong paglilingkod kasabay ng iyong pagpanaw,” Dy said.

(That’s why Dax, wherever you may be now, I want you to know that we have heard your requests.  And we will not let your brand of public service to go away with your death.)

“The work must continue. The dreams must continue. And the things you wanted for your people must continue,” he added.

Cua’s death was announced by his father, former governor Junie Cua. 

The former governor did not disclose the cause of his son’s death, but there were reports that the latter had been suffering from an undisclosed illness.

Cua was the youngest elected vice governor, holding the post in Quirino when he was just 23-years-old.  He later became Quirino governor from 2007 to 2010.

Cua then moved to the House, representing Quirino’s lone district in the 15th, 16th, and 17th Congress, or from 2010 to 2019.  After this, Cua ran for Quirino’s gubernatorial post again.

“We remember Governor Dax for his years of dedicated public service and his commitment to the people of Quirino and to strengthening local governance in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region,” the lower chamber said in a Facebook post last Wednesday.

READ: House mourns passing of former lawmaker, Quirino Gov. Dax Cua

Aside from his hats in the local government, Cua was also the national president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific, as well as the chairperson of the League of Provinces of the Philippines at the time of his passing. 

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Dy, at the tail end of his speech, said that Cua’s passing also gives lawmakers an important reminder: that public offices are temporary, and that officials will be most remembered for how they treated their constituents./dp