BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
Councilor Elmer Sy died at about noon yesterday from a lingering illness after being confined at the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center for almost a week.
He was 66.
The councilor, who had been undergoing dialysis for some time now, was reportedly hooked on a life support machine, but it was removed as he was no longer responsive.
As of this writing, the family has yet to issue an official statement as to the cause of Sy’s death but his younger brother, Newton, confirmed his passing through a media interview.
Sy, a member of Grupo Progreso, led by Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, was the 11th elected councilor of Bacolod in the 2019 elections. He first joined politics in the early 90s and finished three terms, his close friend, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, said.
Familiaran said he was saddened by the demise of Sy, adding that he has a lot of fond memories of him since they both belonged to the Rotary Club and had worked together in the Sangguniang Panlungsod since 2010.
He said that outside politics, Sy and his family helped individuals who needed blood transfusions, being active supporters of the Philippine Red Cross, on top of helping less fortunate youth finish their college degrees through scholarship programs.
Familiaran described the late councilor as “a man of few words”, who was also very helpful.
‘DEDICATED’
Leonardia, in a statement, said he was stunned by the news that Sy had passed away.
“It is very hard to believe it happened. We lost a dedicated public servant. Councilor Elmer and I became friends way back in the 90s and I was one of those, who encouraged him to join politics because I saw as early as that his winnability and potentials. And, indeed, he has gone a very long way since then,” the mayor said.
“Elmer got things done his way. He lived up to his words ‘Less talk, more action.’ Indeed, that was how he performed. Our people had elected him again and again because they saw his sincerity, dedication, and performance,” he added.
Leonardia said the city mourns his passing away, but his legacy of dedicated public service will always be remembered by this grateful city.
COVID VICTIM
“We take note that Councilor Elmer was a Covid-19 victim and we should be reminded how dangerous our times are. May he serve as a medium for all of us to remember that we must always follow health protocols.
“We thank Councilor Elmer for all the things he has done for our city and our people. And we also thank his bereaved family for sharing him with us,” Leonardia added.
Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya also extended his sincere condolences to the family of Sy.
“As a colleague in the SP and a fellow member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, he will always be remembered as a public servant who humbly advocated and fought for the welfare of Bacolodnons during the numerous times that he was elected by the people to the SP. His legacy and good deeds will surely remain in the hearts of the people he served,” Gasataya added.
Sy was also a businessman and owned the Consuelo Supermart, one of the oldest stores in Bacolod.*
