Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed city council resolution no. 491, series of 2024, expressing the city’s deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the late former Mayor James ‘Payko’ B. Pooten of Sagada, Mountain Province, his wife Cymbeline Joan Lumpias-Pooten, his auntie Arlene Guzman-Padalla and her son Jacob Padalla.
They all perished in a tragic vehicular accident in Alberta, Canada on July 26, this year.
Pooten served as Mayor of Sagada, Mountain Province from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019 and again from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.
“Former Mayor Pooten is remembered for his invaluable contributions particularly during the challenging period of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic,” the approved measure stated.
It added: “As a cultural practice of the city and in the Cordillera region, we join the leaders and communities in expressing our condolences to the family of former Mayor James Pooten and the Padalla family during this period of their mourning for the loss of their loved ones.”-Gaby B. Keith
