A YOUNG and dynamic official of Dagupan City who helped in the back-breaking preparations for the just concluded Bangus Festival 2008 succumbed to a massive heart attack Saturday.

Reginaldo “Reggie” Ubando, chief of the city’s Waste Management Division, was rushed to the hospital but doctors failed to revive him.

Ubando, whose unit as in past editions of the Bangus Festival found itself greatly challenged in keeping the city physically clean and orderly despite the big event, held the position since the past Lim administration.

Friends and fellow workers said “Reggie” had remarked he felt overly tired soon after the Bangusan ed Dagupan street party last April 30 but otherwise he went about his job with determination.

Ubando joined the city government as a young technical assistant of the late City Councilor Jaime “Kamagong” dela Cruz of Pugaro who was concurrent Association of Barangay Councils president during the earlier term of Mayor Alipio Fernandez.

City Hall leaders soon took notice of his zeal and talent enough to name him in-charge of the waste management division (WMD) under the past Lim administration.

Dagupan officials led by Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Jr., and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, chair of the Bangus Festival 2008 paid tribute to Ubando’s key role in the overall success of the recent Bangus Festival.

Mayor Fernandez noted the dedication of the waste management chief and said “he took both accolades and criticisms for and against his unit’s performance as a city functionary with the calm confidence of a true public servant.”

Ubando’s body now lies at Funeraria Quiogue in Dagupan. Funeral schedule will be announced later.