MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday sent its condolences to the kin of Councilor Cynthia Alcantara-Barker, the first Filipina mayor in England who passed away on Monday following a period of illness.
“The DFA extends its deepest sympathies to the family of The Worshipful The Mayor of Hertsmere in Hertfordshire, England, who passed away following a period of illness,” it said in a statement.
Alcantara-Barker is the first woman of Filipino descent to hold an elective office in the United Kingdom.
Before her stint as mayor, she also served as deputy-mayor in 2019 and had been a town and borough councilor since 2015.
“Ms. Barker will be remembered as an inspirational community leader, a role model for women, and an ardent supporter of Filipino communities in the UK, who was always willing to give a helping hand in organizing charitable projects and in promoting Philippine culture and the arts. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and colleagues,” the DFA said.