MANILA, Philippines—An Intel spokesperson reiterated Friday plans for “total shutdown” of operations in the Philippines.

But this would happen in a “gradual phase,” according to Arlita Narag, Intel Philippines corporate affairs manager, during a briefing.

Narag said Brian Krzanich, corporate vice president for technology manufacturing and supplies and Robin Martin, general manager of Intel assembly and test manufacturing network, visited the facility on January 21 to evaluate the local operations.

The Intel spokesperson, however, was short of disclosing when the Philippine facility would completely close down.

She said the company was still “ironing out details” of the shutdown until second half of 2009.

Narag disclosed that Intel is working with the Department of Labor on possible training programs for the 1,800 employees affected by the shutdown.

During the briefing, the Intel spokesperson said the recent global economic crisis has forced the chipmaker to reconsider building a new facility in Laguna.

The plan was to gradually downsize operations in Cavite and move them to Laguna.

The Intel spokesperson said this plan would not push through given the new developments in the global economy.

Intel confirmed this week it was closing down five factories including assembly and test facility in Gen. Trias, Cavite.