PHILUSA Corporation officially inaugurated its new Cagayan de Oro Branch on August 4, marking a significant milestone in the company’s continued investment in its nationwide distribution network and re-establishing its physical presence in Cagayan de Oro.
The occasion brought together the PHILUSA Leadership Team, led by President and General Manager Mr. Neogin Evangelista, and distinguished guests, including Hon. Rolando “Klarex” Adlao Uy, Mayor of Cagayan de Oro City; Mr. Gerard Dizon, President and General Manager of MDC 100, Inc., a subsidiary of Mercury Group of Companies, Inc.; Ms. Janet Palma, Vice President for Chainstore Operations, Mercury Drug Visayas and Mindanao; Ms. Anabelle Cacar, Assistant Vice President for Chainstore Operations, Mindanao Region; Ms. Joy Cupay, retired Mercury Drug executive and former Vice President for Chainstore Operations, Visayas and Mindanao; and Arch. Eusebio Go, owner of Buildex Construction and Realty Development Corporation, together with his team.
Serving as Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Rene Amane, Supply Chain Manager and Project Lead for Project Gold, the rebuilding initiative that brought the new branch to completion. The program commenced with welcome remarks from Mr. Neogin Evangelista, who expressed his gratitude to the many individuals and organizations whose collective efforts brought Project Gold to completion. Reaffirming PHILUSA’s commitment to supporting the region, he said, “Today, we celebrate a new beginning, one that will enable us to better serve our customers with passion for excellence, create more opportunities for our people, and contribute once again to the continued growth of the local economy.”
In his message of support, Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy looked back on his years with PHILUSA, sharing how the company helped shape his values and public service. “This is where my professional journey began as an ordinary employee full of dreams for my family. Here, I also learned the value of hard work, discipline, integrity, and caring for others, principles that I have carried forward in serving the people,” he shared.
The Mayor also expressed his appreciation for PHILUSA’s continued confidence in Cagayan de Oro, citing the opportunities the new branch brings to the city. “I am also happy that PHILUSA chose Cagayan de Oro for their expansion. This means more job opportunities, easier access to quality healthcare products, and stronger partnerships for the continued growth of our city.”
The ceremonial ribbon cutting formally opened the facility, after which the commemorative plaque was unveiled. The branch was then blessed by the officiating priest, with prayers offered for the continued success of its operations, the safety of its employees, and the customers and communities it will serve. The ceremony concluded with a photo opportunity attended by company leaders, guests, employees, and project partners.
The completion of the project was made possible through the support of Mercury Group of Companies, Inc., following the approval of its late Group President, Mrs. Vivian Que-Azcona, whose vision and legacy continue to inspire PHILUSA. The company is equally grateful to its current Group President, Mr. Steven Que-Azcona, for carrying that vision forward and seeing the project through to completion. The project also benefited from the guidance and supervision of Mr. Gerard Dizon from planning through completion.
For PHILUSA, the inauguration marked more than the reopening of the branch. It represented another landmark development in the company’s continuing growth and a renewed investment in serving customers, business partners, and communities across Northern Mindanao.
The new branch now occupies the site of PHILUSA’s former Cagayan de Oro facility, which was destroyed by fire on January 1, 2017. Following the incident, employees were reassigned to the PHILUSA Davao and Ozamis branches, allowing the company to continue serving customers across Northern Mindanao while plans for rebuilding progressed. Nine years later, the new Cagayan de Oro Branch officially opened its doors, marking the completion of Project Gold and the beginning of a new chapter for PHILUSA in the region.
