16/09/2025
A Legacy of Action: Dumangas Honors Congressman Narciso Monfort on 20th Memorial Day
DUMANGAS, ILOILO – Twenty years after his passing, the legacy of Congressman Narciso “Goodah” Dolar Monfort, M.D., is not just remembered in Dumangas—it's celebrated as a blueprint for genuine public service. On September 5, 2025, community leaders, students, and citizens gathered at the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) to commemorate the 20th Memorial Day of the beloved public servant, honoring a man whose impact is still felt across the province.
This year's theme, “Sincero nga Panghimanwa, Legasiya ni Goodah!” (“Sincere Service, the Legacy of Goodah!”), captured the spirit of a leader known for his relentless dedication to turning ideas into reality.
The most vivid memories of Congressman Monfort’s tenacity came from the event's guest speaker, Hon. Rolando B. Distura, a Board Member for the 4th District of Iloilo and Monfort's former Chief of Staff. Distura shared compelling anecdotes that painted a picture of a leader who simply refused to take "no" for an answer.
He recounted a trip to Manila where Monfort, determined to secure funding for unpaid teachers, persistently pursued the Department of Budget and Management Secretary. Though unable to meet the Secretary directly, his unwavering effort resulted in a Special Advice Release Order (SARO) that ensured the teachers received their salaries that month.
In other stories, Distura recalled chasing down a Japanese contractor in the early morning hours to get a signature for the crucial Dumangas highway and its bridges. He shared a remarkable moment of catching then-Senator Tito Sotto in an elevator to secure the final signature needed for the cityhood of Passi. He also detailed how Monfort obtained an Executive Order from then-President Joseph Estrada to declare Naluoyan as a Port Zone—milestones that forever changed the landscape of Iloilo.
These stories underscored the tangible achievements highlighted earlier by Rev. Fr. Philip Vincent Sinco, who noted Monfort’s instrumental role in establishing the coastal road to Iloilo City, numerous hospitals, and state colleges that made higher education accessible to the poor.
The event also carried a deeply personal tone. In a heartfelt message read by their eldest son, Jose Luis Guevara Monfort, Carmen T.G. Monfort ("Inday Chit") extended the family's gratitude. “It is with profound reverence and love that we stand before you,” she wrote. “He departed from us on September 5, 2005, but his spirit, his values, and his legacy continue to live brightly in our hearts and in the very fabric of our town.”
She remembered her husband not only as a four-term congressman but as a “faithful and devoted husband and a generous and loving father,” who taught his family compassion and the value of putting others first. She shared his personal motto, which defined his life’s work: “The recall of my performance in congress was achieved through hard work, perseverance, and political will to serve God through His people – not by words, but by deeds. This is my legacy!”
The commemoration, formally established by Municipal Ordinance No. 2011-03, was a full community affair. OIC Mayor, Hon. Randy “Butch” Suspeñe, welcomed attendees on behalf of Municipal Mayor Hon. Braeden John Q. Biron. The program also featured Vice-Mayor Onal Golez, Sangguniang Bayan Members: Hon. Jasmin Golez-Ocampo and Hon. Rovic D. Canicula. Members of the Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls were also present. The celebration was brightened by the awarding of winners from digital and classical poster-making contests, where local students creatively interpreted Monfort's legacy.
In closing, Mrs. Monfort’s letter left the community with a powerful call to action: “So let us not just remember, but also act… Let us be the change he inspired.”
As Dumangas continues to progress under Congressman Ferjenel G. Biron and Mayor BJ Biron, the 20th Memorial Day served as a powerful reminder that the work of one dedicated individual can echo for generations.
The event was successfully coordinated by Dumangas Municipal Tourism Officer, Mr. Roderick Ticar, and Dr. Eric dela Vega, Director of Instruction of ISAT-U.
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