Honda Cars Philippines plant closure inevitable: Bello

February 24, 2020

Workers of Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.,(HCPI), which announced their closure next month, should just accept they will lose their jobs, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Monday.

Nearly 400 workers are set to lose their jobs when HCPI plant closes in Sta Rosa, Laguna. 

"I have been told that the issue of closure is non-negotiable because it wasn't just Honda Philippines that decided the matter," said Bello.

"We cannot force them in making the decision. We don't know what's the reason for the hastiness of their closure," he said.

Bello assured workers the labor department will be pushing for the best possible compensation for would-be displaced workers.

He said he has started negotiating with Honda Cars Philippines Inc for additional benefits for the 380 HCPI workers.

"They actually have a good offer. I just don't know if it will motivate the workers. On my part, I also asked for additional benefits. I just don't know if they will allow that or not," said Bello.

"Considering the automotive industry is booming, it may not be difficult for us to relocate them," added Bello.

Honda Cars Philippines Inc said on February 22 it was closing its production plant in Laguna due to their "optimization efforts in the production operations in Asia and Oceania region". DMS