CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation Industrial Authority (Phividec-IA) is currently investigating a firm operating within its industrial estate in Misamis Oriental:The Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation Industrial Authority (Phividec-IA) is currently investigating a firm operating within its industrial estate in Misamis Oriental, which has been linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). This development follows revelations made during a recent congressional hearing.
According to Philippines News Agency, lawyer Benjamin Medrano, Phividec-IA’s acting deputy administrator for operations, confirmed in an interview on Sunday that the firm, Philippine Sanjia-Steel Corporation (Phil-Sanjia), has been under scrutiny after its association with POGOs was highlighted in a quad committee (quadcom) probe at the House of Representatives. Despite the allegations, Phil-Sanjia, which has been a locator in the 3,000-hectare Phividec-IA estate since
2018, has not halted its operations.
The estate, strategically positioned between the municipalities of Tagoloan and Villanueva, encompasses 13 villages and serves as a significant industrial hub. Phil-Sanjia’s alleged connections came to light during the quadcom’s investigation, where it was disclosed that the firm was previously owned by Tony Yang, also known as Jian Yang Xin. Yang, who reportedly changed his registered name to Antonio Lim, is the elder brother of Michael Yang, a former economic adviser during the Duterte administration.
In response to the allegations, Phil-Sanjia issued a statement denying that Yang still holds the position of president within the company. Furthermore, the firm rebutted claims regarding the employment of undocumented Chinese nationals and the storage of smuggled rice and other contraband.
Medrano expressed Phividec-IA’s willingness to cooperate with the congressional probe. He noted that the authority was unable to attend the recent hearing due to the late arrival of th
e invitation, which did not allow sufficient time to arrange travel. “We received an invitation to attend the hearing but it was sent a day before the event, so we had difficulty arranging for our flights. But if the Congress invites us again, we will be ready to present our side,” he stated.
Established on August 13, 1974, by Presidential Decree No. 538, Phividec-IA was designed to promote economic and social growth through the creation of industrial areas, starting with the Misamis Oriental estate.