City government, media mourn death of pioneer

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY - His colleagues in the media and the city government best remember him as a principled, virtuous man dedicated to his craft and cause.

Thus indeed is a fitting salute to media and city human resource management pioneer Jose “Joedax” Dacawi, 66, who succumbed to a lingering illness last July 30, almost two years after he retired from the city government as city human management officer.

He was laid to rest yesterday at the Baguio Cemetery.

“Joedax manifested enthusiasm and dynamic energy towards performing his daily tasks that helped in the attainment of the city’s goals and objectives,” the city council wrote in a resolution passed last Monday to pay tribute to the late public servant.

“His passing away is mourned not only by his family, but by the City of Baguio as well, for his being an inspiration in its quest for continued excellence and competence,” the resolution added.

“His presence may not be physically felt but his memories would always remain in our hearts and the thought that in a part of our history is engraved a person by the name of ‘Joedax’ who was once with us in shaping Baguio City.”

A stickler for Civil Service rules, Joedax is known for his stern leadership style in his department but subordinates swear his strictness was never beyond reason.

He championed discipline, hard work and ambition among his employees and goaded them to continually develop themselves.

He led by example and was never unfair or abusive.

“It was he who motivated me to go back to school so that I was able to finish my masteral studies even when I was still serving a utility worker (a position equivalent to that of a janitor). Now, I am into my fourth promotion in a supervisory position and in my fourth year of law studies,” said Jerry Guevarra, an employee of the city human resource department.

Along the hallways of City Hall, Joedax may have appeared severe ready to pounce on every employee transgressing a Civil Service memorandum circular and scold even fellow department heads for lack of “vision and planning,” but outside the government confines, he was all human – compassionate, sweet and doting even.

Jerry said he always personally saw to the needs of his employees during department outings and gatherings ensuring they were all properly fed and entertained.

Dan Ricky Ong, a former subordinate, said the man was kind-hearted recalling how his former boss stood by him during a difficult time in his life.

“When my father suddenly died a few years ago, Sir Joedax was at my side, kept me company even at the morgue of the hospital waiting for the remains of my father to be claimed by the funeral parlor until the wee hours of the morning,” Ong related. He said he was sure Joedax did similar if not more mundane favors to his other employees and other people in need.

Joedax entered government service in 1973 as emergency laborer at the city council. He rose from the ranks and became the city human resource management officer, a position held for 36 years until his retirement in 2009.

Before his stint in the government, Joedax was a pioneering media practitioner during the golden age of broadcast and print media in the city. He served as staff member and field reporter of radio DZHB or RMN IBC in the company of fellow media icons Manny Salenga, Willy Cacdac and George Jularbal.

He was staff member of The Mountaineer Weekly Paper, Focus Weekly Magazine, Baguio Midland Courier, correspondent of the Philippine Daily Express and president of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) in 1987.

Media contemporaries and younger colleagues also have their own stories to tell of the media and government service royalty that was Joedax.

Art Tibaldo, Dacawi’s fellow civil servant and journalist, said, “Manong Joe is an exemplary man worthy of emulation. He joined his creator leaving behind a legacy of exemplary service and unquestioned integrity.”

“He was a no-nonsense worker who does not want to be credited or recognized for his contributions. He discourages city activities to go beyond office hours that deprive workers from spending quality time with their families… Civil Service or not, Manong Joe is my "Dangalng Bayan" awardee,” Tibaldo commented in his Facebook account.

Catherine Miras-Agustin, a former employee of the city mayor’s office now based overseas also wrote over Facebook: “Tito Joe was one of the best mentors I ever had in Journalism. He was at his best as CHRMO Head at City Hall as he meant well not only during Values Orientation Workshops but as every government employee performed their respective functions without allowing themselves to be politicized. His wealth was his virtues and principle - being righteous, courageous, outspoken and (he is) a real brother.”

Joedax was survived by his wife Corazon, a retired teacher from the University of Baguio, sons Joris and joseph; daughters Jennifer and Joann, daughter-in-law Maritess, grandson Jan-Jan, brother Ramon and sister Elena.