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NegOcc, Bacolod execs honor legacy of Danding Cojuangco

By Nanette Guadalquiver

June 17, 2020, 8:51 pm

<p>San Miguel Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. </p>

San Miguel Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. 

BACOLOD CITY – Top officials here and Negros Occidental province have honored the legacy of business tycoon and former ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., who passed away at 85 on Tuesday night.

Cojuangco, chairman and chief executive officer San Miguel Corp. (SMC), succumbed to pneumonia and heart attack, his family said in a statement.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said in a statement on Wednesday that Cojuangco spent some good years of his life in Negros Occidental and was known for his generous contributions to civic groups, civic actions, schools, teachers, and church programs.

“We mourn the passing of a business magnate, public servant, and philanthropist,” he said.

Lacson said SMC, which is almost synonymous to Cojuangco, has been a great help in this time of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis with the support it has extended to the efforts of the government.

“His keen business acumen, coupled with his inimitable brand of leadership, both in the private and public sectors, contributed greatly to the socio-economic and political landscape of the Philippines and of course, Negros Occidental,” the governor said.

Cojuangco’s brainchild, Project FREE (Flagships to Reach Educational Excellence), provided scholarships for Negrense teachers who pursued masteral and doctorate degrees.

“In remembering his legacy, the province of Negros Occidental will continue the Project FREE program,” Lacson said.

Cojuangco, chairman emeritus of the National People’s Coalition, backed the political careers of many local officials in Negros Occidental, including Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

“I consider him my mentor and political godfather. He gave me the political boost at the time I needed it most. I salute my Boss Danding,” Leonardia said in a separate statement.

The mayor said that Cojuangco was “a rare breed who excelled and reached the top of both business and politics”.

“He is an icon who made a major and lasting impact on the growth and advancement of our nation. Truly, we can say he has touched countless lives,” he added.

Leonardia said that Cojuangco was “a major and dominant figure here in Negros Island as he changed (its) physical and political landscapes”.

“He advocated for education and spearheaded the advancement of professional growth, and the impact of that is now apparent to us all,” he added. (PNA)

 

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