LOCAL government and business leaders yesterday welcomed the assumption of Phividec administrator Jose Gabriel “Pompee” La Viña, saying it would breathe new face in the industrial zone and help steer the economy of Northern Mindanao which has suffered a blow in the ongoing pandemic.
Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno congratulated his erstwhile nemesis, saying it is the prerogative of the President to appoint anyone who enjoys his full trust and confidence.
Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said that La Viña is “fully qualified for the job and he has the dedication, integrity and work ethics to perform well for Phividec.”
“He likewise has the energy and efficiency to attract more locators/investors to Phividec and more employment to our people of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City,” Rodriguez said.
The leader of all city and municipal councilors in Region 10 also expressed support for La Viña.
Cagayan de Oro City Councilor George Goking said the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Northern Mindanao chapter in which he chairs is looking forward working with La Viña in bringing more investments to the region.
“We believe that he will do a good job,” he added.
For his part, Oro Chamber president Robertino Pizarro described La Viña as pro-development and has a good grasp of doing business. Oro Chamber is the largest organization of homegrown enterprises in the region.
Phividec Industrial Authority manages the 3,000-hectare wide Phividec Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental, home to dozens of multinational companies enjoying the privileges of an economic zone.
Encompassing the two municipalities of Tagoloan and Villanueva, Phividec stands for the Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation, a government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) created in 1974 aimed at harnessing funds for retired soldiers.
