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Prospero Sybico Amatong (October 18, 1931 – May 16, 2009) was a Filipino politician. Amatong served as the governor of Davao del Norte[1] from 1992 until 1998 and as a Congressman in the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 1998 until 2007. He also served as interim governor of Compostela Valley upon its creation.
Prospero S. Amatong | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Compostela Valley's Second District | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Post created |
| Succeeded by | Rommel Amatong |
| Governor of Compostela Valley | |
| In office March 8, 1998 – March 26, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Post created |
| Succeeded by | Luz M. Sarmiento |
| Governor of Davao del Norte | |
| In office February 3, 1988 – March 8, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Cecilia Dela Paz |
| Succeeded by | Anecito M. Solis |
| Mayor of Nabunturan | |
| In office December 30, 1980 – March 26, 1986 | |
| Preceded by | Zosimo A. Bugas |
| Succeeded by | Venancio C. Piastro |
| In office January 1, 1972 – September 28, 1977 | |
| Preceded by | Venancio C. Piastro |
| Succeeded by | Zosimo A. Bugas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Prospero Sybico Amatong October 18, 1931 Dipolog, Zamboanga Province, Philippine Islands |
| Died | May 16, 2009 (aged 77) New York City, United States |
| Political party | Lakas-CMD (1991-2009) |
| Spouse | Luz Caños |
| Relations | Jacobo Amatong (brother) Isagani Amatong (brother) Ernesto Amatong (brother) Juanita Amatong (sister-in-law) |
| Parent(s) | Amando Borja Amatong Felicidad Mabanag Sybico |
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Prospero Sybico Amatong was born in Dipolog, Province of Zamboanga, on October 18, 1931, to Amando Borja Amatong and Felicidad Mabanag Sybico who were founders of Andres Bonifacio College.[1] He earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering.[1] He moved to Nabunturan in 1960, where he taught at Assumption College from 1960 until 1971.[1]
Prospero's career in politics began in 1963 with his election as a Nabunturan city council member.[1] He was elected the Mayor of Nabunturan in 1972,[2] an office he held for 14 years.[3] He also served as the mayor of New Corella early in his career.[1]
Amatong was elected the Governor of Davao del Norte, which consisted of 21 towns, in 1992.[2] As governor, Amatong spearheaded the creation of a new province Compostela Valley, which consists eleven municipalities which were formerly part of Davao del Norte.[2]
Amatong became the interim governor of the newly created Compostela Valley province for three months in 1998.[2] He was later elected to the House of Representatives, representing Compostela Valley's second congressional district as a congressman.[2] Amatong remained in Congress until his retirement in 2007.[2] His son, Rep. Rommel Amatong, was elected as his successor in the district in 2007.[2]
Throughout his long political career, no complaints were ever filed against him by the Ombudsman.[3] Politicians from both Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley continued to consult Amatong following his retirement, earning him the nickname as the "grand old man" of Davao politics.[2]
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Prospero Amatong suffered a fall in a New York City park in May 2009 while on vacation with his wife, Luz, their children and other family members.[2] He was hospitalized with head injuries, leaving him in a coma. Amatong died in a New York City hospital on May 16, 2009, at the age of 77.[2] His body was flown back to the Philippines for burial.
Tributes poured in following news of Amatong's unexpected death. Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy called Amatong, "...exceptional as a leader, a master politician. I would say no one could ever duplicate his performance in our lifetime. He is the real Mr. Service."[3] Laak Mayor Reynaldo Navarro referred to Amatong as, "a legend, a real champion who has never tasted defeat."[3] Former Davao del Norte Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio Jr., a friend of Amatong during his governorship, spoke of him, "am saddened by the death of a great man whose life was dedicated to mankind. It's a loss to all of us. My prayers to the bereaved family. Farewell my brother."[3] Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario also sent condolences to Amatong's family.[2]
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