Tsuneishi prexy: We need more workers

CEBU, Philippines - Tsuneishi Heavy Industries President Shinji Watadani told Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia that his company needs more skilled workers as they have started building the world’s largest bulk carrier.

Tsuneishi, a shipbuilding facility in the western Cebu town of Balamban employing about 6,000 workers, informed the governor that they need at least 3,000 more workers since they continue to receive orders up to 2013.

Watadani and Garcia recently met at Capitol before the governor went to South Korea with President Arroyo.

In the meeting, Watadani was pleased by Garcia’s positive outlook for the shipbuilding industry despite the recent announcement of Aboitiz owned FBMA Marine Inc. that it will retrench workers due to lack of orders.

Tsuneishi, on the other hand, inaugurated last month its new building dock, which is expected to increase the ship-building capacity of the company from 58,000 metric tons to 180,000 metric tons.

Aboitiz-owned FBMA Marine Inc. announced the retrenchment of 40 percent of its regular workforce or about 73 of its 198 employees.

Garcia said that Cebu province and the local economy continues to be strong despite the fact that there is a world economic crisis.

“Cebu is moving forward,” Garcia said during the meeting as she assures that the Provincial Government continues to be fully supportive of the shipping industry in Cebu.

She also assured Tsuneishi of a continued power supply which is crucial to the firm’s operations.

While a shortfall in power is foreseen in Cebu and in the Visayas, Garcia said they are trying to address it with programs, such as the signing of an interruptible power agreement with Visayan Electric Co. and big companies in Cebu.

Garcia expressed gratitude to Tsuneishi for helping the local economy as she vowed to protect the industry as well.

Tsuneishi recently experienced power shortage since East Asia Power Resources stopped operations.

This prompted Garcia to immediately call up Toledo Power to temporarily replenish the 8 to 10 megawatts the company needed.

In addition, the governor had distributed welding machines in each town to train welders.

Garcia told Watadani that she just wanted to make sure that there will be no manpower shortage for companies like Tsuneishi. — Garry B. Lao/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)