Felix Abad Fuentebella (September 5, 1915 – May 29, 2000) was a Filipino politician. He was the Representative of the 2nd District of Camarines Sur[1][2] in the Philippines from 1954 to 1972[3] and the Provincial Governor of Camarines Sur[4] from 1976 until 1986. He is the son of former Ambos Camarines Governor Mariano Fuentebella and the half brother of Jose Fuentebella and Manuel Fuentebella.

Felix Abad Fuentebella
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Camarines Sur's 2nd District
In office
December 30, 1953 – September 23, 1972
Preceded byEdmundo B. Cea
Succeeded bypost later held by Raul S. Roco
26th Governor of Camarines Sur
In office
January 1, 1976 – March 25, 1986
Preceded byFelix Alfelor
Succeeded byLuis R. Villafuerte
Personal details
Born
Felix Abad Fuentebella

(1915-09-05)September 5, 1915
Sagñay, Camarines Sur, Philippine Islands
DiedMay 29, 2000(2000-05-29) (aged 84)
Tigaon, Camarines Sur, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Political partyKBL (1978-1986)
Nacionalista (1953-1972)
SpouseRita Palma
ChildrenArnulfo P. Fuentebella
Angelina Fuentebella
Carmen Fuentebella
Felix Fuentebella, Jr.
Residence(s)Abo, Tigaon, Camarines Sur
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines
ProfessionLawyer

Early life and education

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Felix Fuentebella was born on September 5, 1915, in Sagñay, Camarines Sur to former Gobernadorcillo and Governor of Ambos Camarines Mariano Fuentebella and Marta Abad.

He was educated in his home province and entered college in the University of the Philippines in 1937 and 1939 and graduated as a Civil Engineer and Mining Engineer. He worked as a civil engineer in the Bureau of Public Works in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, and then became a laboratory technician on construction and testing materials before he ran for Congress.

Political career

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Felix ran as a congressman of the Second District of Camarines Sur in 1953 after his nephew and Representative Edmundo B. Cea ran in the Senate where he won. He went undefeated in his reelection bids in Congress until 1972 when Martial Law was imposed by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

To serve the people despite the shut down of Congress after the declaration of Martial Law, he ran for provincial governor of Camarines Sur in 1976 and won serving the province for 10 years until EDSA I People Power Revolution took over on 1986 ousting President Ferdinand Marcos.

After the EDSA I People Power Revolution and being known as a Marcos supporter, Felix never ran for any elective position in the province.

Death

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Felix died on May 29, 2000 in Tigaon, Camarines Sur.

Accomplishments as legislator and governor

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Fuentebella's accomplishments included:

  • Instrumental in the construction of Tandaay-San Juan-Libon Road; Nabua-Baao Diversion Road; Nabua-Balatan Road; Hanawan-San Ramon-Sagrada-San Isidro-Iriga Road; Agdangan-Caranday-San Vicente-Lidong Road; Goa-Tinambac-Tamban Road; Tinambac-Siruma Road; Bula-Palson-Tupas-Sto. Domingo Road; Sta. Cruz-Masoli-Bato Road; Bula-La Victoria-Itangon Road; Alberto Highway; parts of Lagonoy-Presentacion-Garchitorena-Caramoan Road; and sections of the Quirino Highway.
  • Responsible for the concreting of: Anayan-Tigaon Road; Naga-Camaligan Provincial Road; Calabanga-Tinambac Road; and San Jose-Sabang Road.
  • Helped set up Tigaon Waterworks System, Sagñay Water System and the Tamban Water System, among the water systems in Camarines Sur.
  • Established Bongalon Port and Balatan Port.
  • Helped establish St. Paul and St. Andrew Academies.
  • Implemented Bicol River Basin Development Program.
  • Authored the law converting Iriga into a charter city.
  • Made Pili provincial capital and helped construct capitol.
  • Helped bring Pilipinas Broadcasting Network to Bicol.
  • Authored the law creating Presentacion municipality.
  • Brought Alay Kapwa Surgical Mission by the University of Santo Tomas surgeons to Camarines Sur.
  • Was a catalyst in launching Operation Smile, now a worldwide movement of medical practitioners to help children with cleft palates and facial deformities.

References

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  1. ^ "Philippine Government Elective Officials: Semi-pictorial Directory". Urera. 1966. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  2. ^ "The Philippine Officials Review". M & M Publications. 1967. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  3. ^ The Philippine Officials Review. アジア経済研究所. 2002. ISBN 9784258520381. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  4. ^ "Self-reliance & compassion: contemporary speeches and writings on national growth and Philippine defense". Philippine Educational Promotion. 1979. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
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Political offices
Preceded by
Felix Alfelor
Governor of Camarines Sur
1976–1986
Succeeded by
House of Representatives of the Philippines
Preceded by Member of the House of Representatives
from Camarines Sur's 2nd district

1953–1972
Succeeded by