DAVAO CITY (March 1)— Former Bukidnon Gov. Carlos Ozamiz Fortich has passed away on February 24 at around 8:30 pm. He was 83.
Fortich first became the governor of Bukidnon in 1968 and was elected to the post a record 6 times during which he was awarded the “1968 Order of the Fighting Cock” as one of the Top Ten Outstanding Governors for Community Development.
He was also recipient of the Presidential Award of the “1970 Golden Bahay Kubo” for Most Outstanding Governor of the Philippines. It was also during his term that Bukidnon earned the “Most Outstanding Province of the Philippines” in 1997.
Fortich dies at the Capitol University Medical Center (CUMC) in Cagayan de Oro due to old age.
His remains will be brought to his residence in Malaybalay today, March 1.
Fortich’s daughter Carla confirmed the former governor’s death on Tuesday.
The remains of the former governor will be brought to the Capitol for an overnight public viewing on March 4.
His burial is scheduled in the morning on March 6 at Shepherds Meadow Memorial Park in Sumpong, Malaybalay City.
“We want to bring him at the provincial Capitol before the flag ceremony because he has never been late in the flag ceremony when he was Governor,” Carla said.
The former governor also took pride that no less than President Ramos himself presented him the much coveted “Gawad Ng Lahi Pamana Award”.-Newsline.ph