City officials recently expressed the deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences of the officialdom and constituency of Baguio wo the bereaved families of the late former James ‘Payko’ B. Pooten of Sagada, Mountain Province, his wife Cymbeline Joan Lumpias Piluden-Pooten, his auntie Arlene Guzman-Padalla and her son Jacob Padalla, who all died in a tragic vehicular accident in Alberta, Canada last July 26, 2024.
Under Resolution No. 491, series of 2024, local legislators stated that as a cultural practice of the local government and in the Cordillera, they joined the leaders and communities in expressing their condolences to the families of former Mayor Pooten and the Padalla during the period of their mourning of the loss of their beloved ones.
Earlier, a tragic car crash occurred on Highway 564 at highway 9 in Rocky View county, east of Calgary, Alberta, Canada involving a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and grains delivery semi-truck on July 26, 2024 as reported by international and local press and confirmed by the families of the victims.
On board the SUV were former Mayor Pooten of Sagada, Mountain Province, his wife Cymbeline Joan, his auntie Arlene and her son Jacob who were declared dead on the spot after the said tragic incident while the driver of the semi-truck sustained minor injuries.
Former Mayor Pooten served as the Municipal Mayor of Sagada from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019 and again from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.
The council claimed that former Mayor Pooten was remembered for his invaluable contributions, particularly during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic where he was instrumental in the enforcement of stringent regulations that prevented the spread of the deadly virus in the famous tourist destination.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the Pooten and Padalla families for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See
