In the midst of the global financial crisis that have injured a considerable number of industries here in the Philippines, the “plague” is yet to come to its end according to some analysts. It started November of last year with the collapse of the major financial institutions in the US and from then on, news of retrenchment and company closure became an ordinary headline around the world.
This crisis is expected to subside by the end of the 2nd quarter of 2009 (hopefully). But this early, it had already left thousands of workers displaced and until now coping to survive this “pandemic” until the Government finds ways to at least minimize its effects and address the worsening issue of poverty in our country.
In these deteriorating situations, when even the so-called “giant companies” have already closed-down their plants here in the Philippines, how would an automotive company like the Yazaki-Torres Manufacturing Incorporated (YTMI), which is the biggest producer of wiring harness in the country, cope-up? And up to what extent were they have been affected by the crisis?
According to Mr. Felcaster D. Torres, Assistant Vice-President of YTMI, by December 2008, the company had a deficit of 47% from their target production orders. This month, February, their deficit is expected to reach an all-time low of 51%. Mr. Torres disclosed further that despite the decline, the management is still optimistic the company will survive the impact. Though the automotive sector business is greatly affected, the company in agreement with its Labor Union, stood firm to keep its employees intact. Salary loans were also granted last December to augment their reduced income. Because of low volume of production orders, this February, the company resorted to “Low Volume Optional Leaves” where employees from the affected lines are offered to avail voluntarily leaves. This program is also extended to the company’s different cross sections on a voluntary basis. Subsidies are given to employees as financial assistance while they are on leave. The company, by way of support, decided to temporarily suspend the collection of government contributions but at the same time paying the contributions on their behalf. Meanwhile, the remaining workforce are expected to work more diligently. The whole organization resorted to strict cost-cutting measures such as no-overtime, single shift for selected operations, and the like. A lean training was conducted to department heads to guide them to make their operations leaner. Mr. Torres pointed out that presently no organization or agency can really foresee what will happen, or when will this slump end. It is difficult to find the solution basically because, the root cause of the crisis is unknown. Nobody can really say where it came from. He further stressed-out that in these trying times, it is very important that both the government and the private sectors work together to come-up with a better understanding of the situation and who knows, bright ideas may turn-up that will divert this threat into opportunities especially for the Calambeños.
While the private sectors are striving to do its part, they are, on the other hand, looking forward to how will the government, especially the local administration, do its share. Perhaps, is there a sort of contingent plan or program to assists those who were displaced? According to Counselor Christian Lajara, being the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Cooperatives, he has been advocating the development of a strong livelihood program that has the element of sustainability-the LIVELIHOOD CONSORTIUM. Recently, he authored an ordinance of institutionalizing the Calamba City Livelihood Consortium which aims to appropriate a reasonable funding for it to REALLY empowers the poor people of our city by fostering self-reliance. What makes this different from other livelihood programs, Lajara added, that it has the element of sustainability, and the program was carefully designed by experts in this field to support the people on a long-term basis, all it needs is proper budget appropriation, that it rightfully deserves.
The councilor also expressed his concern with the meager budgetary allocation that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is receiving. He believes that the government must support this department for this is the government’s arm that will carry-out livelihood projects. Further, Councilor Christian Lajara wants to assure the people of Calamba that he will not stop in his advocacy of ensuring the betterment of the city and protecting the interest of every Calambeño.—APS
