By Shiela Mae Butlig
Correspondent
PHIVIDEC Administrator Jose Gabrielle ‘Pompee’ La Viña has left the government-owned and controlled corporation based in Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental, yesterday.
In a simple going-away ceremony, La Viña promoted over 23 Phividec Industrial Authority employees.
He said another 11 PIA workers will be regularized before he leaves the corporation officially.
“November 14 ra ‘ko taman magtrabaho,” he added.
In the interim, Phividec Deputy Administrator Dr. Arlan Paul Reyes will be at the helm of the 3,000-hectare industrial compound in Tagoloan until La Viña’s resignation will be official and until such time that President Rodrigo Duterte shall appoint a new head.
La Viña was appointed Phividec administrator on Sept. 16, last year.
During his term, he said, he has had several accomplishments that include the billion-project Integrated Steel Mill, which will be constructed in the Phividec compound, and the shutting down of illegal quarry operations in the area.
“We do not live for ourselves but live for others. I have to take the next step,” he said.
He is leaving the corporation for a second stab at the mayoral race in Cagayan de Oro City next year.
“This is not goodbye. I will just be in city hall if you need me,” La Viña told Phividec employees.
It can be recalled that La Viña failed to beat the deadline for filing of Certificate of Candidacy, last week.
He, however, assured that on Nov. 15, he will be substituting the candidacies of either lawyer Gil Banaag, who filed for city mayor under Partido Federal ng Maharlika, or a certain Ryan Rayla, who filed under the PaDayon Pilipino Party.
He said he is confident that either of the two will withdraw their candidacies in his favor.
