The acknowledged architect of the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba concept died Tuesday in the United States, one of her kids announced on Facebook last Tuesday.
“It is with deep sadness to announce that our father, Joseph “Jody” Alabanza, passed away but peacefully today, June 12,” Mary Anne Alabanza Akers posted on her Facebook page.
He was 94.
Alabanza served as city architect in the 70s before becoming the regional director of the National Economic Development Authority.
After the July 16, 1990 killer earthquake, Alabanza proposed the metropolitan concept of BLIST for Baguio to be able to grow, but with help from its neighboring towns of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan and Tuba.
Alabanza then said that Baguio lacks the resources, which the municipalities could provide including water thus the Bulk Water Supply Project.
During the Ramos administration, Alabanza became a presidential assistance on Cordillera.
Alabanza later proposed the creation of the Baguio Centennial Commission to prepare for the centennial celebration on Sept. 1, 2009. He became its chairman but citing lack of time as he often travels to the United States to visit his children, he stepped down. The position was taken over by Virgilio Bautista.
Alabanza’s remains were brought to the Philippines and was brought at the Funeraria Paz where viewing started Friday.
This weekend, his remains is at the city hall, then the Baguio Convention Center on Monday, where he will be honored by the organizations he had joined including his Apache brothers.
Funeral rites will be done at St. Joseph church on Tuesday and his remains to be interred at the Baguio cemetery. Pigeon Lobien
