CEBU, Philippines – An official of the Mactan Export Processing Zone announced he will be running for mayor in Lapu-Lapu City in the 2016 elections.
Engineer Rolando Patalinjug, division chief of the Engineering Department of MEPZ, declared his plan after being recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Cebuanos Awardees (TOCA) last Saturday.
MEPZ is a government-run facility attached to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.
Patalinjug, 56, the nephew of the late Lapu-Lapu City mayor Maximo Patalinjug, told The FREEMAN that on September 30, he will resign from his job which he has held for 31 years.
He said they already have a complete slate which includes former Cordova mayor Celedonio Sitoy who will run for congressman in the lone district of Lapu-Lapu City.
They have no political party affiliation yet but Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy said they will register a local party named Husgano Party which refers to the name of chieftain Lapu-Lapu’s father.
In his capacity as government executive, Rolando initiated the donation of classroom chairs costing P1.2 million following an on-the-spot poster-making contest.
He was also instrumental in recognizing the teachers’ contribution to educating a child through the PEZA-Department of Education Awards to deserving students.
He also donated artesian well pumps to fellow Lapu-Lapu residents who have hard time looking for a safe source of drinking water.
Recently, Patalinjug also facilitated the donation of school classroom at Ibo Elementary School, complete with amenities like blackboards, desks, chairs ceiling fans, and hand-washing areas in the school.
Rolando is expected to face Mayor Paz Radaza who has been contemplating on seeking reelection next year. Radaza’s husband, former congressman Arturo Radaza, also earlier expressed his intention to run for mayor in 2016.