Ms Evangeline C Escobillo, Former Insurance Commissioner of the Philippines, died in a car accident along with her husband on 3 May. She was serving as the Secretary General of the Association of Insurers and Reinsurers of Developing Countries (AIRDC).
The Philippines-based association had released a statement expressing great sadness at Ms Escobillo’s untimely death. AIRDC members are drawn mostly from developing countries around the world and include insurers, reinsurers and other related insurance organisations such as brokers, national associations and research or training institutes licensed or registered in a developing country.
“We received the news of the tragic deaths of our Secretary General Evangeline Escobillo and her husband with shock and great sadness. On behalf of the entire AIRDC family in all developing countries and the Zimbabwean Insurance Industry, we mourn and pay tribute to one who worked so tirelessly and selflessly to advance the interest of the association,” said Ms Grace Muradzikwa, MD, Nicoz Diamond Insurance, Zimbabwe and President, AIRDC. She added that Ms Escobillo was an effervescent person, with exceptional organisational ability and that they will miss her and always remember her for her easy laughter and infectious cheer.
Ms Escobillo, 61, served as Insurance Commissioner of the Philippines from 2005 to 2007 during the Arroyo administration. She was removed from the post after some of her reforms aimed at strengthening the insurance industry were opposed by some stakeholders.
According to the Actuarial Society of the Philippines, Ms Escobillo made sweeping changes during her stint in the Insurance Commission, to ensure the robustness of the insurance industry. These include increasing minimum capitalisation of insurance companies and brokers, the introduction of risk-based capital framework and the computerisation of the Insurance Commission’s operating system and data files.
Full of life and a tireless worker
Expressing his deepest condolences, Dr Jagath Alwis, Chief Technical Officer, Ceylinco Insurance plc, Sri Lanka and Immediate Past President and Current Board Member, AIRDC, said that since taking over as Secretary General of AIRDC in mid-2011, Ms Escobillo had a very clear vision of creating a platform for member insurance and reinsurance companies in developing countries to discuss their common issues towards the development of insurance industries in their respective countries.
She worked tirelessly towards achieving this objective on an honorary basis. “I would not have been in a position to turn around the organisation if not for the support extended by Evangeline in 2011,” said a grateful Dr Alwis. He added that she was the pillar behind his achievements as she was always willing to assist anyone who came to her with her trademark smile and cheer.
“I also cannot forget the silent work done behind the scene by her late husband General Nestor Sadiarin towards the development of the AIRDC,” said Dr Alwis.
Mr Tahir Ahmed, MD & CEO, Jubilee General Insurance Company of Pakistan and a Board Member of AIRDC said: “She was a lady full of life and fun besides being business like.”
Having interacted closely with her during the Insurance Congress of Developing Countries in Zimbabwe in 2014, Mr Ashok Kumar Roy, CMD, GIC Re and Board Member AIRDC, expressed great shock on hearing this tragic news. “I still have fresh memories of the interactions we had during our last meeting at Zimbabwe. She came across as someone very warm-hearted and spirited person ever ready to be helpful. She was one of the most committed volunteer of ICDC and her loss will be felt for a long time. We have lost two really very noble and compassionate souls. May God Almighty rest them in peace and give the family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude,” said Mr Roy.
Asia Insurance Review conveys our deepest condolences to the family of Ms Evangeline C Escobillo.