LAOAG CITY — Vice Mayor Michael Fariñas, nephew of Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas, will be laid to rest on June 15 at 1 p.m.
In anticipation of thousands of residents, friends, and relatives who will attend the funeral, the city government of Laoag led by his wife, Mayor Chevylle Farinas, advised the public to take necessary measures, or take alternative routes during the funeral procession.
The funeral procession will start from the family’s residence in Brgy. Vira and will arrive for his funeral service at St. William Cathedral.
There are free rides available for the public should they wish to go to the family’s residence in Vira village. Public viewing takes place every day until June 14.
The vice mayor was killed in a car crash on June 6. He was 52.
Police report said Fariñas was driving a black Mercedes Benz V8 Biturbo on his way home when he suddenly lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle swerved to the right shoulder of the road facing north and subsequently bumped the concrete barrier then leaped to the rice fields.
Fariñas was rushed to the Gov. Roque Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital in Laoag City, but he was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician, Dr. Allan Dela Cruz.
His police bodyguard identified as SPO2 Melchor Geronimo suffered spinal injury. Unlike Farinas, the policeman had strapped on his seatbelt.
Fariñas is survived by his wife, incumbent mayor Chevylle Fariñas and three children – John Michael (eldest) who serves as the Laoag City administrator, Mikee as the ABC Federated President of Laoag, and Michelle, a Grade 10 student under the Special Science Class of the Ilocos Norte National High School here.
He is also the first grandchild of the late Fariñas Trans patriarch, Don Federico and nephew of Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.
Known as the political strategist of the Fariñas clan as he used to manage his uncles’ election campaigns, Fariñas started his political career as a village chief and managed to win in all of his election campaigns as a three-term Laoag mayor and as vice mayor since 2010.
Under the Fariñas leadership, Laoag has continued to reap local and national awards, such as most livable and most business-friendly city. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
