“It’s not a question of how many millions of dollars the company is investing in the country. The principle of parity and the rule of law should be applied. - Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel.”
Much has been said and reported about on the threatened withdrawal of Hanjins’ US$ 2 billion shipyard project in the towns of Tagoloan and Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. Immediately, politicians and some media people put the blame on the local officials and even the Senate for making life difficult for Hanjin which influenced its decision to back off from the project. The demonization of Tagoloan and Villanueva local officials is inevitable, given the penchant of our publicity hungry politician to jump on the bandwagon.
Imagine, with 40 thousand projected employees losing their employment potentials, that represents a huge chunk of votes that grandstanding politicians are salivating to get. Mayor Oloy Emano and Mayor Juliette Uy have been vilified left and right even before a formal investigation could take place. Many people have been mentioning about supply contracts such as steel and aggregates without sufficient evidence to support their allegations. In short, all of these are chismis or “haka haka” lang.
But what people should be wary about is the reputation of Hanjin Heavy Industries. Its record is not that immaculate and in fact it should be a cause for concern. A month ago, successive reports were aired on television of accidents happening at Hanjin shipyard in Subic which claimed scores of lives of the workers. The report also mentioned the poor and hazardous working conditions inside the facility and the shabby treatment of workers by Hanjin Korean supervisors. “Dili makaon sa iro nga kasaba.”
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Tagoloan Mayor Paulino “Oloy” Emano
“Oloy says Korean exec insulted him, Villa Exec.”
Susan Palmes and Rene Abris
Tagoloan Mayor Paulino “Oloy” Emano may have lifted his cease and desist order against Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corp. but he continues to talk tough against the firm which he claims insulted his people. Emano said he was unbothered by the prospects of losing the US$ 2 billion investment if it meant fighting for the rights of Tagoloanons.
Emano, whose brother Vicente, is an ex governor and whose nephew Yevgeny Vicente is a congressman, said dignity was more important.
“These people (Hanjin executives) are so arrogant,” Emano said. The Mayor cited an incident when he and Villanueva Mayor Juliette Uy were allegedly told by Hanjin resident manager in Manila: “You (sic) not needed here.” Emano identified the executive only as Mr. Choy. Emano said he merely held back because he did not want to jeopardize the hanjin project that would employ thousands of Filipinos in Misamis Oriental. He said he is willing to talk with Hanjin officials “but not Mr. Choy.” “the boss of Choy, not him,” Emano said.
But operating in Tagoloan without a government (permit) was too much, he said. Emano said he was forced to issue a cease and desist order because the Koreans did not show the town government a building plan and an environmental compliance certificate. Emano said he lifted the order because the President intervened.
“She asked me to lift the order. I could not refuse her,”
Emano said.
But he said he hoped Hanjin executives would “learn proper manners and respect Filipinos.” Emano also complained that Hanjin hired only a few Tagoloanons. Many of those hired were from Cagayan de Oro.
Corrupt Officials Pestered Koreans
Lizanilla Amarga
They saw Hanjin as a milking cow. One local official wanted a contract to supply aggregates to Hanjin; another wanted to corner a multimillion peso steel deal.
The Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corp. (Hanjin) complained and was even on the verge of filing graft charges against entreprising local officials who allegedly saw the Korean project as an opportunity for them to make money, lawyers disclosed to this paper.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the lawyers said they were asked to draft complaints against the officials. They said the Koreans nearly charged the officials with breaking the law against graft and corruption, and with violating the code of ethics of public servants. “There were even discussions on the possibility of a lawsuit because of the alleged violation of the Revised Penal Code.” one lawyer told the Gold Star Daily.
Hanjin opted not to go to court for fear of repercussions on their businesses elsewhere, the lawyers said. Instead the Koreans who were supposed to employ some 40 thousand people within the next three years abruptly decided to back off from the US$2-billion shipyard project and moved out from Villanueva and Tagoloan towns in Misamis Oriental.
Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo confirmed that he received information about how local officials allegedly demanded business deals with Hanjin.
“Correct nga labihan ka correct.”
said Romualdo when this paper sought his comment on allegations that one official sought a contract to supply sand and gravel, and another wanted to corner a contract for the supply of steel to hanjin. Romualdo earlier said he wanted a congressional investigation into the circumstances that factored in Hanjin’s decision to call it quits in Misamis Oriental.
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