Malacañang yesterday condoled with the family of the late Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Dangcal Alonto, saying the nation is grateful for his contributions to the peace and development of the South.
Alonto, the first Muslim chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority, passed away Thursday. He was 73.
“The Palace expresses its deep sympathies and condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones of the late Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Dangcal Alonto,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
Panelo recognized that Alonto has devoted his professional career in contributing to the socioeconomic transformation of Mindanao “from a land of promise to a land of fulfillment.”
“The nation is grateful for his services and we are confident that his legacy would continue to inspire leaders, government workers, and people to advance the cause of peace and development in Mindanao,” he said.
He also said they will miss Alonto’s “amiable and smiling presence.”
Immediate relatives reported Alonto’s demise at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City through Facebook pages where they earlier confirmed news about his confinement condition.
Rank-and-file personnel of MinDA mourned the death of Alonto and paid tribute to him in a message posted on its Facebook page: “A life dedicated to advance the lives of Mindanaoans, Secretary Alonto selflessly and relentlessly fought for Mindanao until the end, a true warrior for development and advocate of peace.”
Before coming a member of the President’s Cabinet, Alonto served the government in various capacities. He served as Marawi City vice mayor in 1972, became acting Marawi mayor in 1974, and worked as assemblyman in 1979. He was also interim head of the Regional Autonomous Government. (Genalyn Kabiling and Ali Macabalang)