‘Mayor Toby’ passes away at 68
Former Northern Islands mayor Tobias Aldan.
Former Northern Islands mayor Tobias Aldan passed away Monday night at the Commonwealth Health Center at the age of 68, a statement from the Office of the Governor said.
Gov. Eloy S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres extended their condolences to Aldan’s widow, Clotilde Kaipat Aldan; current Northern Islands Mayor Jerome Aldan, his siblings, and their family as they mourn the passing of Aldan, the sixth mayor of the Northern Islands.
Aldan, fondly called “Mayor Toby,” served as mayor of the CNMI’s northernmost municipality from 2010 to the end of his term in 2014.
Born on Feb. 9, 1947, Aldan grew up on an island that was still recovering from a war that changed both the geographic and social landscape of the Northern Marianas.
In a statement, Inos said Aldan’s desire to serve his islands “led to a 37-year career in government service, including working for the Department of Public Works, and as public relations officer for the Northern Islands Mayor’s Office, a department he himself would eventually oversee.”
“As mayor, Aldan forged a strong working relationship with the administration and brought many issues facing Northern Island residents to the forefront, such as resettlement, economic development, and issues pertaining to military use of Pagan,” Inos in the statement said. “Through his work, he has inspired many to continue his legacy, most notably his oldest child Jerome, who this year succeeded his father as mayor.”
Inos further said the death of former mayor Aldan “is a deep loss not only for his family and former constituents, but for the entire Commonwealth, and we join them as they mourn his passing and ask residents throughout the CNMI for prayers as well as to honor and celebrate the memory of this great public servant.”
This is a shame, without knowing all of the health details, I am wondering why he was never referred to the Phil. for treatment for the cancer? (or was he)
I am also assuming that he was covered by health insurance which the larger Hospitals in the Phil. honor “most” policies from the NMI.
(But do they honor Etna?)
For any Cancer patient in the NMI, The most updated treatment facility is at Sacred Hearts Cancer Institute in Angeles City. (They should be on line) Many of the Manila patients have been going there in the past.
When Medical City opens at Clark soon they should also be up to date. Maybe their Guam Hospital may also be a modern Cancer treatment facility close to home.. RIP
I went through this bull with this Govt. and the “medical referral process”. It is only which family and political affiliation you belong to.Just how important are you.
That is why I am surprised that Toby was not sent off island to the Phil.as since he was a Govt elected employee he was supposed to be covered by insurance. OR are all of the elected covered by the Govt. as the same way they cover their vehicles, “self Insured” by the NMI Govt? Which means that the NMI do not pay their bills.
When I could not get things done on Saipan I went on my own to the Phil.and there I was diagnosed with Cancer. I was asked if I was a referral or would become one from the NMI? When I told I was not I got a better reception and help. I was also referred to another area out of Manila where it was much more cost effective and conducive to treatment