The imminent shutdown of a Japanese car manufacturing plant in Laguna will have a “minimal” impact on the local economy, Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the car company might have recorded low volume sales due to the strong competition in the automative market.
“Siguro minimal lang ‘yun. Madami naman kumpanya na pumapasok,” he said.
Honda Cars Philippines Inc. announced last Saturday it will stop its production operations in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna effective next month. The Laguna plant, which started operating in 1992, currently produces two passenger car models – the BR-V and City.
The company will pursue efficient allocation and distribution of resources to meet customer needs for reasonably priced and good quality products, HCPI President Noriyuki Takakura said.
A total of 387 factory workers will be affected by the closure of the car production plant. They will reportedly receive separation packages.
Panelo downplayed speculations that the government’s tax reform program has prompted Honda’s looming plant closure. He said the company was probably losing money as customers choose to buy other quality cars.
“Bakit naman ‘yung iba hindi naman nagshu-shutdown? Baka nalulugi sila. Baka walang bumibili. Baka kumakaunti ang bumibili sa kanila,” he said.
“Ang problema siguro ng binanggit mong company eh promotion sa mga quality. Ang mga consumer, kung meron silang nakikitang mas maganda at mas quality ang items, doon sila pumupunta,” he said.
Panelo assured that the car workers who will be displaced by the car plant’s closure will be assisted in finding new ones. He said the government has implemented the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program to spur economic growth and job generation.
“Ganoon talaga. Kung magshut down sila, ano magagawa natin? Nalugi sila. We have to look for jobs,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)
