Dumaguete vice mayor dies after collapsing in bike activity

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova died on Sunday after he collapsed in a bike-for-a-cause activity in the city.

This was confirmed by his partymate and close friend Councilor Joe Kenneth Arbas.

Arbas said that Cordova collapsed along the highway near the St. Paul University, after biking for more than 30 kilometers.

“Pabalik na siya ng Dumaguete,” he added.

Arbas said that doctors tried to revive Cordova at the hospital for two hours, but he passed away around 10 a.m. initially due to cardiac arrest.

Arbas said that Cordova just recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and just returned to work at the City Hall last Thursday after having negative swab test result last Tuesday.

“I never imagined that it will happen because he’s healthy and athletic,” the councilor said.

Cordova, a lawyer, started his political career in 2007 as a councilor.

He’s on his first term as vice mayor of Dumaguete City and had plans to run on his second term in the May 2022 elections, Arbas said.

Arbas said that Cordova is a big loss to Dumaguete City, as he enjoined everyone to mourn for his death.

He remembered Cordova as a good leader for being sincere, honest and committed to public service.

He said that Cordova was also well-loved by the people of Dumaguete.