Workers’ return signals economic recovery in Cavite

JOB GENERATOR The Cavite Economic Zone spanning Rosario and General Trias towns in Cavite is one of the biggest job generators in the province. —RICHARD A. REYES

More workers have reported back to factories in Cavite province, a sign that the economic zone is on track to full recovery after months of temporary work stoppage and reduced operation due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But one company that manufactured electronic parts permanently shutdown after losing much of its foreign clients, said Norma Tañag, manager of the Cavite Economic Zone. Tañag said she was not authorized to disclose the name or any further detail about the company.

As of Monday, 251 of 293 companies were “fully operational” to manufacture electronics, car parts, garments and other consumer goods mainly for export, said the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

This figure translates to 74,806, out of the total 81,012 strong workforce, back to the assembly line.

Tañag said that for the rest of the companies, their operation remained at just “20 to 30 percent.”

Lowest infection rate

Some, she added, were hiring employees after some workers opted not to return to the factories anymore after being furloughed.

At the onset of the pandemic in March, close to half of Cavite’s factories downsized and resorted to maintaining a skeleton workforce, resulting in the temporary displacement of
about 60,000 workers.

If the decreasing trend of virus infection continues, “we are looking at [ returning to full normal operations] by the first or second quarter [of 2021],” Tañag said in a telephone interview.

She said the return of public transport and the relaxed movement restriction in the province had allowed more workers to report back to their jobs.

Minors, liquor ban

Gov. Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr. said the province recorded its lowest infection rate on Nov.30, with only six new cases.

This was far from the province’s daily average of 20 in October and from 800 during the virus’ peak months between July and August.

In his December public advisory, Remulla said mall hours were extended to 9 p.m. but adjusted the minimum age of children outside their residence to at least 15 years old.

The liquor ban was lifted although public drinking and gatherings were prohibited. Remulla also said cockpits should stay closed, while the police’s Highway Patrol Group should flag down and inspect overloaded or crowded public utility vehicles.

He disallowed the holding of Christmas parties in offices in the provincial government following health protocols on mass gathering.

—Maricar Cinco