PNoy to grace PASAR operations resumption rites

ISABEL, LEYTE, Philippines  — President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III is expected to grace the formal inauguration and resumption of operations of the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining (PASAR) Corporation at the Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) here at 10 a.m. today (September 26).

David Halley, president and chief executive officer of PASAR, said Aquino will lead the inauguration of the new and modern US $25-million Electrostatic Precipitator (EP) facility of the plant, a key component of its anti-pollution gas capture system.

PASAR stopped operations after its original equipment went up in smoke in an early morning fire that broke out on January 2. Even as the plant could still continue operating without the EP facility, its owners decided to stop operations totally so as not to compromise the environment, said its top executive.

Despite stopping operations, PASAR maintained its regular workforce, asking employees and skilled workers to stay on as the management looked for ways to replace the burnt facility as fast as it could. The company did not layoff anyone from its regular workforce and the plant was back in operation by July 4.

Local officials, led by Mayor Saturnino Medina Jr. also welcomed the plant’s resumption of operations, saying that despite the 6-month closure, PASAR continued to pay its quarterly taxes regularly.

PASAR has more than 800 regular workers. Aside from the regular workforce, around 2,000 people benefit from its operations indirectly through contractual jobs and supply services.

The Swiss company Glencore owns PASAR, which is one of the country’s top dollar earners and was the first copper smelting plant in Southeast Asia.  (FREEMAN)