DAVAO CITY – The Office of the First Congressional District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte is mourning the death of the Barangay Affairs Office head Marius Salvalion Garcia, who died at 69 due to an acute ulcer. 

Garcia, fondly known as Kapitan Kim or Kap Kim by his citizens and colleagues, is remembered as a genuine public servant whose impact has been enduringly noteworthy in the lives of numerous groups and individuals.

Rep. Duterte recalled that whenever there is a concern in the barangay early in the morning, Kap Kim and even the staff from the PPP will wake up to address the matter. He said Kap Kim regularly proved the role of a public servant.

“Dako kaayo kawad-on sa siyudad sa Dabaw si Kap Kim. Ang siyudad nagapasalamat sa imoha, sa imong kaayo, sa imong pag-amuma kanamong tanan (The city of Davao will miss Kim. The city is thankful to you for your kindness and care for all of us),” Rep. Duterte said.

Rep. Duterte’s son Omar, head of the Barangay Buhangin Proper, also recalled his time with Kap Kim. He said there is never a day when they do not burst into laughter and keep joking around all the time.

Omar said that every time the late barangay captain visited the barangay, he always succeeded in reminding and advising him on several things, mainly when he was still a neophyte in the office. He added that Kapitan Kim advised the barangay councils to cooperate with and guide him.

“Sa tanan gitudlo niya sa ako, mga tambag, kung asa man ko maabot sa kinabuhi madala nako na. Mao dakong salamat kang Kap Kim ug sa pamilya niya (In everything he teaches me, his advice, I will always carry it wherever I go. I am deeply grateful to Captain Kim and his family),” Omar said.

Wilfredo Villarica, chief-of-staff of the First District Office, described Kap Kim as a mentor because he has been in the barangay affairs and political scene for a long time. He added that he learned a lot of things from him.

He said Kap Kim is a hardworking public servant who works even when sick. He is so dedicated to his job that the entire office and the Duterte family are grateful and honored to have him. No one can repay him for that, he added.

“Kap Kim has served the Duterte family for a long time. So, he is like a family. The family considers him as a family, which is why his death is painful to the Dutertes. Kap Kim is such a good individual who is admired by many,” Villarica said.

“Matingala ko anang Kap Kim daghan nakaila sa iya. Ako siya giingnan na kung siguro mudagan ka taas pa na position, makadaog siya ba (I’m amazed by how many people know Kap Kim. I told him that if he runs for a higher post, he could win),” said Crisking Candia of the Barangay Affairs Office.

Candia described Kapitan Kim as a public servant whom the people can rely on. She said he had helped people to the point that he would make some of his valuable things collateral to assist the people seeking his help.

In a phone interview, Barangay 34-D chieftain Erlan Guevarra said no one can match Kapitan Kim’s generosity to the people. He added that if he is going to rate how Garcia was doing as a barangay officer, a colleague, a friend, and a father, he would give it more than a hundred percent.

As a head office, Candia said Kap was a loyal, focused, strict, very disciplined, and time-conscious leader regarding all the work. She added that he was like a father – a food provider, a good adviser, and a considerate man – once they completed all the tasks.

Born on December 24, 1954, in Davao City, Kap emerged as a pivotal figure in the barangay aspect. Rep. Duterte trusted him to lead and assist the communities through the PPP program due to his experience and expertise on the ground.

Kapitan Kim was elected as a chieftain in Barangay 2A from 1988 to 1994, 2007 to 2010, and 2010 to 2018. He has been a deputy mayor of former Chief Executive Rodrigo R. Duterte and a Barangay Council League of the Philippines (BCLP) advisor.

“Sobra ka sakit among gibati sa iyang pagkawala (We feel so much pain from his loss) …” Guevarra said. He added that Kapitan Kim opted to do his job despite his health condition because he loved what he had done throughout his public service years. 

Also in attendance at Garcia's last wake were former President Rodrigo R. Duterte and her daughter, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte. ###