Senate panel ready to probe pending closure of Honda’s Laguna plant — Villanueva

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development is ready to hold an inquiry into the imminent shutdown of the Laguna manufacturing plant of Japanese carmaker Honda, and the possible displacement of around 700 workers, Senator Joel Villanueva said Tuesday.

“The pending closure of the nearly three-decade-old Honda Cars manufacturing plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is a cause for concern,” Villanueva, chair of Senate committee on labor, said in a statement.

“Our Senate Committee on Labor is prepared to launch a public inquiry into this matter,” the senator added.

In a statement on Saturday, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. said that they are seeking to optimize its production in Asia and Oceania which eventually led them to decide to shut down its manufacturing plant in Laguna.

Villanueva also urged the government to “exert all efforts” to respond to the needs of displaced workers and families, saying the families of around 700 displaced workers from the manufacturing plant will also be affected by the closure.

The senator also asked the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to coordinate in providing training for displaced workers.

“We also ask TESDA to coordinate with the DOLE and see what kinds of supplemental training it can provide to displaced workers so they can add new skills while looking for a new job,” Villanueva, former director-general of TESDA, said.

Edited by MUF