“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.”   

Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel have earlier cited the special treatment given to Hanjin by the government. According to Rep. Baraquel, Arroyo signed Executive Order 701 in January 22 this year directing the National Transmission Commission (Transco) to give the controversial Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines a discount on transmission and generation charges for 10 years.

“This is a hefty discount considering the power needs of an industrial firm and compared to the P5 per kilowatt hour rate imposed on Filipino consumers to cover NPC’s [National Power Commission’s] charge and Transco’s transmission charge,”

she said.

In another article, there are already 11 work related deaths in Hanjin’s Subic Shipyard since 2007 because of violations of Occupational and Health Standards.

“It is extremely appalling that Filipino workers are subjected to such danger by a foreign company enjoying the graces of Malacanang.”

stressed Hontiveros.

These violations prompted Rep. Hontiveros-Baraquel to file House Resolution No. 430 to evaluate and assess the working conditions of workers in Hanjin. She also filed House Bill No. 2453 which seeks to limit subcontracting to 10% of the total workforce of the company.

“ We strongly believe that almost 90% of workers are sub-contracted and Hanjin uses this as an excuse when accidents happen. They pass on the responsibility to the sub-contractors by simply claiming that it is sub-contractors’ fault and not theirs.”

explained Hontiveros.

Given the abovementioned not so pleasant reputation of Hanjin in treating their workers, it is just right that compliance with environmental and labor laws of these country should be properly exacted from Hanjin. If hanjin cannot even comply simple governmental requirements such as a building plan and an environmental compliance certificate, then what could we expect from it in complying other laws and regulations particularly referring to safety and labor standard laws?

People cry out about the promised 40 thousand jobs that it forget about the more important considerations-the national interest and the welfare of our workers.  While this country desperately needs investment to prop up the sagging economy and reduce the economic hardships suffered by its people, we should not be pushed around by industrial foreign giant like Hanjin.  If they want to invest, they should follow the law and not expect special treatment.

The action of Hanjin in leaving the place without even consulting or at least informing the governor of Misamis Oriental smacks of arrogance. It tries to show that it is more powerful than the government of this country by arrogating itself in not complying with the law.  Hanjins action can be compared to a child who display tantrums after failing to get his candy. Is that how rich foreigners treat Filipinos now? With contempt?

My gulay, if I were the President of this country, I will blacklist that company forever from doing business with this country.  What they did in Misamis Oriental was a batant “pambabastos” to our local officials.

In the end, this whole controversy should be looked in the perspective similar to that of Rep. Hontiveros-Baraquel.

“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.”