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Former Bureau of Customs commissioner and businessman Alberto Lina passed away due to pneumonia, the Lina Group of Companies announced on February 25
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Lina founded Airfreight 2100 Inc. (now Air21) in 1979
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The group is now under the Lina Group of Companies, which is engaged in various industries ranging from logistics, information technology, food, environment, waste management, business process outsourcing, travel, communications and media
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Lina was appointed customs commissioner in 2005 and then in April 2015
Former Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner and businessman Alberto D. Lina has passed away, the Lina Group of Companies (LGC) announced on February 25. He was 76 years old.
Lina was well known in the logistics industry. He founded Airfreight 2100 Inc. (now Air21) in 1979 and since then, it has grown and is now under the LGC, which is engaged in various industries ranging from logistics, information technology, food, environment, waste management, business process outsourcing, travel, communications and media.
In a statement, LGC said Lina “transformed Philippine logistics through his unwavering dedication and innovative spirit.”
“As a self-proclaimed kargador, he built a logistics and waste management empire that revolutionized support for the semiconductor, hazardous, and medical waste industry and shaped modern Philippine commerce,” LGC added.
Lina was appointed BOC chief in 2005 and served for only five months before resigning, deciding together with nine other government officials dubbed as “Hyatt 10” to withdraw support from then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the aftermath of the “Hello, Garci” scandal.
He was then re-appointed as customs commissioner in April 2015 and served until June 2016.
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Lina was, among others, a certified public accountant, had taught at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, was an avid golfer and supported basketball and cycling. He is a Most Outstanding Manilan awardee, and recipient of the Papal Award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice from the Archdiocese of Manila.
He was married to Sylvia, with whom he had four daughters.
“As we mourn his passing, we celebrate a life dedicated to service, “pakikisama,” and compassion. We are forever grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ for blessing us with an extraordinary leader and mentor. The Lina Group of Companies will honor his memory by continuing his vision of excellence in service and commitment to national development,” LGC said.
Lina will be succeeded by Lucia Jane Lina who will be serving as chairperson of Linaheim Corporate Services, Inc.; Ube Express, Inc.; E-konek Pilipinas, Inc.; Dynamic Outsource Solutions, Inc.; Susumi Philippines Logistics, Inc.; and Linaheim Corporate Travel and Tours.
Sylvia Lina will continue to be chairperson of GO21. April Rose Lina-Arboleda will be chairperson of Academy of Developmental Logistics while Donna May Lina will be chairperson of Ube Media, Inc.
