FAD STORIES by Engr. Ofelia M. Pido, Chief Administrative Officer| Matino, mahusay at maaasahan na kawani, would best describe Administrative Aide III ROBERTO D. GOYONE, fondly called ‘Gingging’.

Gingging served his best years in DILG RO 8.  Those who have been with DILG 8 for over 30 years, have witnessed first-hand, how one personnel who was once active and full of life, have slowed down over the years.

Normally, a government employee would bow-out from service when one turns 65 years old, which is the mandatory age to retire. But, as the saying goes, man proposes, God disposes.

God had other plans. Who would have thought that Gingging would tender his resignation effective April 1, 2024, when the week before that, he was still reporting to the office, providing administrative support.  He still possessed the same enthusiasm as when he was still in his prime, to those who would request for his services.

In the natural course of things, age has caught-up with him. Sometimes, others would joke about how Gingging would forget where they are headed to or forgets to turn the right corner. All of these jests, he just put it in stride. If one would ask of him if “kaya mo pa ba? He would readily respond “kaya pa”.  So, we believed him, as we believed him, in the past.

Life is unpredictable indeed. You’re up and about now, and with just a wink of an eye, you’re not. This is a way of telling us that our mission has been achieved. It is high time to slow down, take the much-needed rest. Spend whatever left of our time with family. Though, the message was sent in an unfortunate way, one should accept it. Life is still kind to Gingging. He’s given a new lease on life.

Now, management should be sensitive and stern enough when to say to a person, to take it easy now. We must know when to send the message, if it is for his own good. This is one way to convey that we are after their welfare.

We will be forever grateful to Gingging, for all the good he has shown us. Never refused a request even beyond office hours. Never whined that he was tired, even if we knew, he was.

It is now pay back time, to show goodness to a former colleague, to extend the much-needed assistance as he recovers fully. Right time for us, to be matino, mahusay and maaasahan ni Gingging, in these trying times.

We hope to see him in tip top shape, soon. We will still celebrate Mr. Roberto D. Goyone, a former DILG Kawani, in Salamat, Mabuhay!