Former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary and Special Envoy of President Rodrigo Duterte to Malaysia Wencelito Andanar passed away Thursday (April 22).
Andanar died at 73 of liver cancer. He was the father of Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar.
In a statement, Secretary Andanar said his father was the “greatest man and mentor,” and was the inspiration for him to serve the public.
“Over the course of his career, he was also the OIC Governor of Surigao del Norte from 1986 to 1988,” the younger Andanar said in a statement.
“Consequently, he served as the Chairman of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) from 1982 to 1992. During the administration of President Corazon Aquino, he was appointed as Presidential Assistant from 1989 to 1992. He was also the Undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government from 2001 to 2007.
“In 2018, he was appointed as the Special Envoy of President Rodrigo Duterte to Malaysia. And through his leadership took initiative to bridge the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao to the global market. Despite the pandemic, he was able to continue to work with the Malaysian government and assist in the repatriation efforts for overseas Filipinos.”
The Palace, through Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, extended its condolences to the family and loved ones of Secretary Andanar.
“May God warmly embrace Mr. Wency Andanar as He welcomes him in His eternal kingdom in heaven. Rest in peace, our thoughts and prayers to the family. Matalik po nating kaibigan si USec. Wency, nakikiramay po kami sa buong pamilyang Andanar. [USec. Wency is a close friend. We extend our sympathies to the Andanar family],” he said.
Report from Mela Lesmoras/NGS-jlo
