Australian shipbuilding company recognizes Filipino workers
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU, Jan. 17 (PIA) -- A top-ranking official of an Australian-based global defence prime contractor has recognized the vital contribution of Filipino skilled workers in building world-class ships.
Austal Philippines Shipyard Operations President and General Manager Joey Turano commended the effort, skills and abilities of Filipino shipbuilders during the visit of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III Wednesday at Austal's shipyard facility in Balamban, Cebu.
Austal is a global company that designs, constructs, and maintains revolutionary naval platforms.
It currently employs 250 Filipino workers along with 50 Australian staff after it started its Philippine operations at the West Cebu Industrial Park in Brgy. Arpili, Balamban, Cebu.
Turano, in his speech, said that within its 10-month operation here, the company was able to produce world-class ships through the combined effort and skills of Filipino and Australian shipbuilders.
“The impressive skills and experience of the people in Cebu is central to that potential,” he said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the great contribution of our Filipino staff and those who have joined us from Australia and elsewhere," he added.
He also said the Filipino shipbuilders are vital in the capability of the company to produce high quality and efficient ships.
“Working together, we have been able to successfully combine Austal’s superior technology with high quality, high efficient manufacturing capability to continue the Austal tradition of producing truly world class ships,” Turano declared.
He said the 250 Filipino workers at the Balamban facility were already employed with the company in Australia.
They were brought to Cebu when the operation in Balamban started.
Austal's shipyard operations here has recently completed its first ship, a highly advanced world-class trimaran design for the European wind farm market.
A trimaran is a multihulled boat consisting of a main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls.
Turano also ensured the Austal shipbuilders in Cebu that they will continue to be busy with work until at least the end of the year.
“Our next ship, which is well underway, is a car and passenger ferry which we believe will be the largest ferry ever built in the Philippines. Another three wind farm vessels will follow it, ensuring work for the shipyard until at least the end of this year,” he said.
Pres. Aquino, in response, told Austal officials that the Philippine government will continue to support the shipbuilding industry.
"I would also like to tell you that our administration will continue supporting your industry to make it easier for companies like you to build ships here," he said. (rmn/AYS/PIA-7)
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PNoy greets Cebuanos 'Pit Senyor'
By Ferliza C. Contratista
CEBU CITY, Jan 18 (PIA) -- President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III greeted all Cebuanos “Pit Senor” as they celebrate the biggest celebration of the province, the feast of the Sto. Nino, this Sunday.
Aquino, during his first presidential visit to Cebu, said that the Sinulog is not only celebrated by Cebuanos and Filipinos in the country but also Filipinos in other parts of the world.
“Bagamat walang nag imbita sa akin, Viva Pit Senyor!” the President jokingly said adding that the invitation must have been mixed up with the 50,000 invitations his office received every month.
Aquino’s mother, former President Corazon Aquino, was a devotee of the Sto. Nino.
The President's last attendance to the Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras was in 2011. Last year, it was only Vice President Jejomar Binay who attended.
The Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras is expected to draw four million crowd this year. Devotees from all parts of the country and the world started to flock at the start of Novena last week.
The religious and cultural celebration will highlight the finding of the icon of a little child believed to be that of the Sto. Nino which was a gift from Miguel Lopez de Legazpi to Reyna Juana, the wife of Rajah Humabon of Sugbo.
But historians wrote that long before the arrival of the Spaniards, the Sugbo natives were already worshiping an “anito (icon/spirit)” like that of a small child.
There will be a fluvial parade on Saturday morning to be participated by 55 private and public boats and ships from Mandaue City Ouano wharf all the way to Pier 1 Cebu City bringing Him back to the Basilica del Sto. Nino where a re enactment will be made of the first mass depicting the Christianization of Reyna Juana and Humabon.
The grand solemn foot procession, which will start at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 19, is expected to be attended also by thousands of devotees from different schools, non government organizations, religious groups, and even hobby groups.
On Sunday, feast day, 37 contingents will compete in the Sinulog festival. (rmn/FCC-PIA 7, Cebu)