Otol Odi, the former mayor of Rizal town in southern Palawan, passed away at the age of 84 on March 13, his family confirmed.
Odi is set to be laid to rest today, March 14, following Palaw’an indigenous peoples traditions.
His supporters said that despite his term coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, he successfully navigated and addressed the needs of his constituents.
Odi, an independent candidate, became the first Pala’wan mayor in Rizal with the support of 8,575 people on May 13, 2019, marking a memorable moment for minorities there.
Among Rizal’s 19,476 out of 26,692 registered voters in 11 barangays, Odi, then 77, defeated his opponents Ramon Shita and Fred Setiota.
Odi, who served as Punta Baja’s barangay councilor and chairman alternately for about 20 years, said that it had always been his ambition to assist his family and Rizal’s indigenous communities.
Odi was known among his fellow residents as a quiet yet effective leader. Before becoming the mayor of Rizal, he also served as the Barangay Captain of Punta Baja.
