News, San Pablo City
Franklin Baker Closing?
Browsing through the pages of Inquirer.net I chanced upon a news story dated last January 07, 2008 titled “1,200 workers to lose jobs with closure of Laguna factory“. The factory was none other than Franklin Baker Desiccated Coconut Factory. It was reported that 1,200 workers will be out of work by the end of the year.
By yearend, some 1,200 workers of the Franklin Baker Desiccated Coconut Factory in San Pablo City may lose their jobs, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said Monday.
However, DoLE said efforts are still being made to convince management “to defer the planned closure, or alternatively, to devote the Franklin Baker assets in San Pablo City to other productive uses that will generate employment and revenues for the city.”
As far as I can remember, Franklin Baker has always been part of the city. My father, grand father, uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbors and almost everyone I knew during my childhood at least at one time worked at Franklin Baker. The company has been part of the City’s history and culture. Just reading that it will soon close is very saddening and that’s not all, it will leave a lot of Pabloys unemployed, as if the city needs more unemployed residents!
I do hope that the management of Franklin Baker reconsiders their plans and not close the company but if worst comes to worst then I guess we’ll just have to accept it and move on to the next chapter of our City’s history.
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:22 am
I have worked in franklin baker company for 13 years (1978-1991)and its sad to heard that it may face closure again. as far i remember the company was closed in 1990 and reopened again in 1991. I hope that that the said closure will not push thru.
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Richard S Dizon reply on May 9, 2008 6:02 am:
Hi my name is Rich Dizon My dad used to work there for a very long time. and his close with the CEO (Mr. Wattson) of the company may be you know my dad (Eddie Dizon)
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March 5th, 2008 at 6:02 am
I cannot believe that Bread and butter of many of my
family friends will closing down. My memories of
Franklin and Baker was my early childhood. Almost
every night after nine o’clock were waiting for some
of the employee to get off. Pahingi po ng tubo the
young coconut seed inside the coconut.Oh, those were
the days.
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March 12th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
We use to live in P.Alcantara St.Most of my friends folks and my relatives in one way or the other worked and earned a living working for FBco. I grew up hearing the factory’s steam whistle to indicate time,we saw our trusted “kasama” bring in truckloads of coconuts and copras.This used to be a happy occasion for all, since our “kasama” will hand over the revenue generated from the harvest, my Itay & Inay will ensure that the children had some extra treats, once some of their debts were settled. Inay will always cook something special for the day. These went on for years even after I left home to seek greener pasture. I reminisced all these after I heard the status of the company.My suggestion to the politicians; you have something good over there, so invest in it, waive some taxes, promote profit sharing. Virgin coconut oil is getting excellent reviews in North America & Europe. Market the products carefully and wisely. San Pablenyos should take ownership on matters like this. I heard rumors that a decision has been made and the company has settled in Davao because of the provincial tax incentive negotiated by FBco and Davao City.I can relate to my fellow San Pablenyos because company downsizing happens globally. All I’m saying is that this issue should have taken the highest economic priority with the Municipal & Provincial levels of government to include local and national business community.
Hunger & desperation breeds crime and violence, this will be the imminent result when workers of families lost their means to be “breadwinners”.Changes are good if our lives will turn for the better and not for the worse.
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