Malacañang assured the welfare of everyone once the closure of Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. pushes through, and said the TRAIN Law is not the cause of the plant shutdown.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the economic managers of the administration have been discussing the issue to prepare for its consequences.
He added that the officials of the company also had a meeting on the issue.
“Pinag-aaralan na lahat ‘yan ng economic managers natin kung ano ang magiging consequences at ang kanilang conclusion diyan eh para sa kabutihan natin at sa kanila rin,” Panelo said.
“They are meeting na nga at this time that we’re talking. I understand, DOLE Sec. Bello is in there in Laguna now, talking with them,” he added.
The spokesperson also said it’s not TRAIN Law that pushed for the company’s closure.
“Eh dati naming nag-raise ng taxes eh, but I don’t think that’s the reason for the closure. Ang sinasabi nila, centered on cost competitiveness of the local operations, parang natatalo sila sa labanan ng quality, parang mas mura pa ‘pag nag-iimport sila –‘yun ang pinaka-reason nila,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) tried to rescue the operations of the company since more than 300 employees will be affected.
DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez said they might impose safeguard duty o tariff on imported cars entering the country.
“Nakakatulong ito sa local manufacturers para ayuda sa kanila, dahil ‘yong imported medyo mas mataas nang kaunti ang presyo because of the duty,” he said. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
