4th Quarter (January-March 2008)

Caraga furniture manufacturers join Cebu show

Eleven small furniture manufacturers in Caraga participated in Cebu X International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition, held in Cebu last March 2-10, 2008, under APFTI’s Fair Trade Zone.

With the increasing popularity of Cebu’s furniture industry, international buyers have been regularly congregating in this annual event organized by the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc (CFIF). This year’s buyer turnout, for example, exceeded expectations with over 1500 people from 78 countries, attending the event.

In preparation for the show, small-scale woodworkers from Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Norte worked with APFTI’s furniture designers Roberto Tambalo and Federico Nicolas in crafting new designs for furniture, door panels, and woodcrafts out of renewable driftwood, gmelina, lawaan, cocowood and cocolumber. “Our woodworkers are job-shop based artisans and they have limited production capacity, therefore, the merit and value of the items, which will be sale-able to buyers, should come from the original design and exceptional craftsmanship of their products.” said Tambalo. The challenge, according to him, was to come up with furniture with reproduce-able features that stand out. He added that community woodworkers are meticulous about details, especially on carvings, a characteristic that compensates the inadequacies in equipment and longer periods of production.

Training on “Strategic Marketing” was also provided, last February 18-22, 2008, to ensure that the producers, by themselves, could close deals during the fair. The training tackled negotiation techniques and marketing strategies suitable for small-scale manufacturers.

APFTI’s Fair Trade Zone generated P 6, 110,050.00 in cash and negotiated sales. The Caraga batch is composed of: Prime Pacific Ventures, Timber Woodcraft Furniture, JB Home Center and Lumber Dealer, Green Valley Furniture, Mindanao New Hope, Wild Trends Inc., San Luis Rattan Furniture Makers, Rayda Woodcrafts, Ethnic Wood, GA Woodcraft and Morning Star Industries. Meanwhile, candle maker, Callo Candles from Butuan City, provided candles that accentuated the displays.


New batch of Northern Mindanao producers starts with APFTI programs




Forty-eight (48) food and crafts enterprises in Northern Mindanao showed readiness in practicing and promoting the standards of Fair Trade by taking part on APFTI’s Integrated Enterprise Development and In-Depth Coaching (IN-DEPTH) Programs.

APFTI Executive Director Rommel Agustin formalized these new partnerships through the signing of Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) with partner producers and officials from the regional and provincial offices of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on January 15, 2007, at De Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. In his message, Mr. Agustin emphasized the need for public, private and non-profit sectors to integrate and complement each other’s programs and actions in order to maximize resources and likewise, improve the impact of their efforts to poverty alleviation and sustainable development. “Fair Trade completely debunks the idea that a business entity could thrive in its own untouchable sphere and set its own unbreakable rules,” he said.

APFTI extended its Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP) to 33 producers, and the In-depth Coaching Program (IN-DEPTH), to 15 producers in the food and handicrafts sector.


APFTI adopts a holistic approach to enterprise development as it attempts to incorporate the standards of Fair Trade to the enterprises’ operations while addressing the concerns of capacity building, product development and market access. “We call this Fair Trade, an understanding that viability is always tied up to the principles of social and environmental responsibility,” explained Mr. Agustin. The producers expressed their willingness to undergo a cooperative enterprise development process. Reliant on the region’s remarkable natural resources, food and crafts producers showed interest in instituting measures that can further systematize their supply chains. Mr. Agustin emphasized that raw material suppliers, producers, distributors, retailers, support-organizations and policy-making bodies must work towards the agenda of stimulating local-level production and consumption. “The objective is not just to create a tactical cluster of assorted businesses, with varied goals, that are completely unconcerned and isolated from each other. We want to build synergy and to create unity in purpose and goals among community enterprises.”



As an initial activity, APFTI technical supervisor Vads Betonio and In-house designer Rafael Ramos visited the producers and assessed their products

Northern Mindanao has a promising crafts industry, with products such as: musical instruments, tribal bags, house ware, baskets, fashion accessories, decors, paper and ropes. The food sector also shows a lot of potential, with organic and value-added goods like muscovado sugar, cavendish banana, herbal tea, and vegetable-based pastries and noodles.

APFTI producers showcase goods in Kaamulan Festival

APFTI’s Northern Mindanao partner producers opted to celebrate the annual Kaamulan Festival by consolidating their products in a booth that also promoted the principles of Fair Trade to locals and festival visitors. Held every February and March, Kaamulan has been declared as the regional festival of Northern Mindanao and it also marks the foundation day of the province of Bukidnon.

Twenty-two food and crafts producers participated in a Fair Trade booth in a month-long Agri-fair held at the Kaamulan Grounds in Malaybalay from February.18 to March 10, 2008. APFTI producers registered a total retail sale of P1,804,722.00. Pasalubong items like fresh fruits and native delicacies got the biggest attention especially among balikbayans who had flocked the event.


Producers attend trainings on strategic marketing

APFTI held trainings on “Strategic Marketing” in Sorsogon and Antique for its partner-producers enrolled under the Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP). Antique producers participated in a two-day training held on January 16-18, 2008, in San Jose, Antique. Sorsogon producers, on the other hand, attended the same course on January 30-31, 2008, in Sorsogon, Sorsogon.

The course tackled the importance of creating a marketing plan attuned with the business direction of the enterprise. “In today's very competitive marketplace a strategy that ensures consistency in offering a product in a way that it will level off or outsell the competition, is critical,” said Julie Odra, APFTI’s marketing consultant. She said that it is important to complement these general goals with methodologies outlining the day-to-day processes of the enterprise.

Using structured and participatory approaches, the training challenged the participants to make plans that will fit the capacity and capability of their enterprise. With small-scale and labor-intensive production processes, the training emphasized the need to adopt a differentiation strategy that will establish a market niche for the products and brands of small producers. The strategy should highlight the products’ distinct composition and quality.

Antique producers are making muscovado-sugar based products like bandi, bitso-bitso, polvoron, ginger chews, banana chips, banana balls, and butong-butong; some are also into vegetable-based value added food like, sayote and squash candy. The province is also home to traditional crafts like hand-woven cloth, buri bags, clay jars, bricks, placemats and hats. Sorsogon, on the other hand, has producers who are into pili-based delicacies and abaca-based crafts.


APFTI teaches “Accounting for Non-Accountants” to Catanduanes producers

Catanduanes producers participated in a 2-day training on basic accounting provided by APFTI for its partner producers undergoing the Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP). Held on February 6-8 at Virac, Catanduanes, 26 participants from the food and crafts sectors attended the training.

The course utilized hands-on methodologies that simplify accounting techniques in a manner that small business owners can translate their actual sales transactions and cash flows to financial documents that will further allow them to effectively control and manage their finances and resources.

APFTI personnel undergo gender and sexuality training

In line with the organization’s agenda to “gender-sensitize” its structure, processes, programs and services, APFTI program staff underwent a 3-day gender and sexuality training on January 21-23, 2008, in Baguio City. Subscribing to the framework of Gender and Development (GAD) the organization recognizes that making the programs sensitive and responsive to the needs and wants of women and men can make the developmental efforts of the organization more people-centered. The gender and sexuality training discussed misconceptions, beliefs and issues about women and men, and their implications to the socio-economic and political status of individuals and communities. The workshop also reviewed the human resources development manual of the organization, and diagnosed its provisions on non-discrimination and gender-related processes and benefits.


Fair Trade advocacy and awareness reinforced in enterprise programs

For the quarter, APFTI conducted Fair Trade colloquia and advisories to producers, onset the delivery of the enterprise development programs in the provinces of Sorsogon, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Capiz and General Santos City.

The initial orientation, called Fair Trade Colloquium introduces the concept and standards of Fair Trade to prospective clients prior to the submission of application to the Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP). Using participatory processes, the course solicits responses from producers on issues espoused by the advocacy, highlights the benefits and responsibilities associated with it, and secures their commitment in adhering to the standards of Fair Trade. New batches of producers in Sorsogon and Caraga signified their intention to enroll in the program. For Capiz, 21 producers showed interest to enroll in the program and be involved in the advocacy.

Producers who have chosen to enroll in the program also take up a Fair Trade Advisory Course. The advisory details examples on how producers can practice the principles and integrate the standards to their day-to-day operations. It highlights the need to enhance their leadership skills in order to effectively set the business and marketing direction of their enterprise.

Antique crafts producers modernize product designs

Seven Antique crafts producers underwent product design development this quarter. The project ran from March 2-29, 2008. Senior consultant, Leonardo Rosete and 10-29 designer, Aurorita Bonus handled the project that generated 56 new designs for crafts makers involved in manufacturing semi-precious stone-crafts, accessories, woodcrafts and buri-based handicrafts.

APFTI conducts an on-site design development process that considerably gives attention to the resources and skills of small producers and workers. The designers deployed in the area, consult with clients during the conceptualization of new designs and supervise the construction of new prototypes.

3rd Quarter 2007 (October to December 2007)

APFTI pursues agenda to develop domestic market for Fair Trade

On its third year of implementing the Accelerated Market Access for Community Enterprises Program (AMACE), APFTI explored initiatives related to Fair Trade producer certification and Fair Trade market development. The organization is working on a set of strategies that can ensure a gradual yet progressive entry to the market of its partner producers. For the quarter, APFTI solicited consumers’ response to Fair Trade through a Fair Trade Caravan and test ran its Fair Trade Audit and Certification System among selected partner producers.

Fair Trade Guarantee System

APFTI advocacy manager and Social Accountability auditor, Ronald Lagazo conducted the initial run of Fair Trade audits on selected APFTI partner producers in Aklan, Iloilo, and Northern Mindanao on October-November 2007.

“With the certification, producers can build a brand reputation, which is becoming increasingly vital, especially with the modern consumers’ growing preference for ecologically sound and ethically produced goods. Investors are also becoming more cautious about the ecological-social dimensions of production and trading,” said Lagazo. With proofs to back up the claim of Fair Trade compliance, he sees hope that producers could immediately differentiate themselves over other players in the market.

The successful conduct of the initial assessment demonstrates that APFTI partner producers are willing to be transparent about their operations. It also shows their preparedness to cooperate on a consultative and participatory Fair Trade alignment process.

Bringing Fair Trade closer to consumers

With a more systematized guarantee system, producers can easily communicate Fair Trade to consumers and use the advocacy as their unique selling proposition. To do that, APFTI has recognized the need to create awareness among local consumers by increasing Fair Trade product’s availability and visibility. For the quarter, APFTI market-tested the proposition to consumers through selling activities held at the Gateway Mall and at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

APFTI brought the products of some of the audited partner producers at the “Higanteng Bazaar 3: Pamaskong Handog”, which ran from December 4-13, 2007, at the Gateway Mall. The booth was merchandised in a manner that it presented the Fair Trade standards and indicators alongside selected Fair Trade aligned products, allowing consumers to make an immediate association between the products and the essence of the act of choosing them. On the other hand, the International Bazaar Foundation Fair, held at the PICC on November 25, 2007, introduced the products to expatriates and nationals from at least 32 foreign embassies in the country. APFTI occupied the booth of the European Union. Instead of merely selling EU- merchandized items, the Delegation chose to sell products coming from APFTI partner-producers, to showcase the end results of the programs that they have supported. EU is a long-time funding partner of APFTI. It is instrumental in the full implementation of APFTI’s major enterprise development programs since 2002. For the period, EU specifically supported APFTI’s producer-market linkage program called the “European Market Access for Filipino Food and Crafts Producers” under their Small Project Facility.

With the consumers’ positive reaction during these selling activities, APFTI plans to bring a Fair Trade Caravan on more malls and to infuse more creative merchandising and marketing methods in conveying the message to consumers, especially highlighting the best practices of its partner-producers.

Moving Forward

AMACE Project’s three-year implementation period will be concluded this October 2008. Appraising the gains of the program, APFTI Executive Director Rommel Agustin expressed that: “The innovative strategies implemented during the course of the project have garnered commendation from its primary stakeholders, government institutions and non-profit partners. AMACE provided more than 300 community enterprises with enterprise development support, in terms of trainings, product development and trade facilitation, while it has planted the first seeds of Fair Trade awareness among consumers.”

Seeing the importance of local-level support and patronage, APFTI, in its upcoming programs, resolved to focus on the agenda of developing a market for Fair Trade products that can support and absorb products from Fair Trade adhering producers. During the organization’s project planning write shop held in Taytay, Rizal, on December 11 to 21, 2007, APFTI identified the need to make Fair Trade products and prices more competitive, while simultaneously integrating the standards of Fair Trade to the operations of its partner producers.

The organization will fast track efforts in building a solid consumer base for the products by making them available and visible to consumers. APFTI lined up activities that may lead to the establishment of specialist Fair Trade shops and will encourage more mainstream channels to carry them on their shelves. APFTI plans to access the country’s top urban centers as distribution points for the products. To do so, the plans give emphasis on the involvement of public and private sector institutions in creating an environment supportive of APFTI’s goal of market development for Fair Trade producers and products.


Bicol producers prepare for new markets

Producers from the provinces of Catanduanes and Sorsogon, in the Bicol region have pushed through with APFTI’s Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP). Executive Director Rommel Agustin emphasized the strengths of Bicol producers, “In implementing the program in Bicol, APFTI has worked to optimize the region’s evident advantages: the region’s rich natural resources, traditional food preparation techniques, time-honed handicrafts skills, and the boldness of people to experiment and mix these old knowledge with new ideas.” The current food product enrollees have product lines that range from pili delicacies, corn coffee, pickled fruits and vegetables, dried fish, and peanut butter. While crafts makers, in this batch, produce baskets, bags, fashion accessories, and furniture.

Food and handicrafts producers worked with APFTI’s training, marketing and technical experts on activities that prepared them in accessing wider markets. IEDP, which started in the region last quarter, is composed of trainings, product development, and market access facilitation programs. The program aims to build the capacity of producers by giving them business and technical inputs and by aligning their practices to the standards of Fair Trade. For this year, the intervention prepared partner producers to their participation at the Orgullo kan Bikol, the region’s annual trade fair.

Product development for food processors

APFTI improved the product quality food producers by enhancing their packaging and labeling design and improving their product’s recipe and formulation. Producers of pili-based delicacy and a producer of coffee collaborated with APFTI’s packaging and labeling designer, Raphael Ramos, in improving the external appeal of their products. Ramos rendered new packaging and labeling ideas after an on-site assessment of each producer’s capacity and marketing direction has been conducted. Shalom Foundation, Uncle Frank’s Coffee, Fritz Enterprise, City Sweets and Miguelito Food Products received new label design ideas. APFTI also advised them on possible packaging alternatives.

APFTI also sought the expertise of food technologist Ressa Mendoza in perfecting the formulation of products of two producers who are priming to expand their operations. Sarilikha Food showed interest in improving the quality of their peanut sauce, a new product that they are exploring to launch next year. Fritz Enterprise on the other hand, sought advice in improving the consistency and oil content of their pili-based candies (choco pili and mazapan). Fritz Enterprise is exploring the possibility of exporting its products to US on a small scale.

Product design development for crafts

Woodworks, abaca and coco-fiber producers, in Sorsogon, explored new product design ideas in an on-site product development conducted by 10-29 designers Eric Legario and Roberto Tambalo. The project, which ran for three months, assessed and appraised the existing skills and technology of each producer. Designers Legario and Tambalo rendered 8 new designs for each manufacturer, considering their prospective markets.

Using driftwood, majority of furniture designers have shifted the focus of their production to smaller items. Upon seeing that they have existing craftsmen who are adept in carving, the designers capitalized on highlighting the detailed carvings to their designs. On the other hand, majority of the abaca-based and coco-based producers also have skillful sewers. Capitalizing on that, the designers rendered designs that fused indigenous materials with modern components like straps, and plastics.

Production planning and visual merchandising trainings

APFTI held 2 trainings for Bicol producers during the quarter. Catanduanes producers took a course on “Visual Merchandising” on November 14-15, 2007. Design consultant Heide Cardenio acted as the resource person for the session. The producers were familiarized on the importance of displaying their products in a manner that the best features of the products can be noticed. The course provided them with techniques in merchandising and space management that can aid them in getting buyer’s attention and interest during fairs and exhibits.

On the other hand, Sorsogon producers participated in a “Production Planning” workshop held on November 20-21, 2007. System consultant Maria Jovena Vendivil provided the inputs for the training. The course introduced to producers measures that they can adopt in addressing common problems encountered during production and in designing a model of an efficient production area. The training showed the value of standardizing procedures as it interrelated these adjustments with corresponding financial gains.

OK Bikol

Despite the series of typhoons that hit Bicol during the quarter, 9 food producer and crafts manufacturers still managed to arrive and to participate in this year’s Orgullo Kan Bicol (OK Bicol), held at the Megatradehall 1, SM Megamall, on October 11-14, 2007. Handicrafts producers sold furniture, bags, house ware, fashion accessories made of indigenous materials such as jute, karugmoy, raffia, sinamay, driftwood and coco fiber. Food producers carried Bicol delicacies and pili-based candies. The following producers joined the fair: Ravago’s Meat Products, Lydia’s Native Products, Sarilikha Food Products, Terestian Crafts, J-en Handicrafts, BC Abaca Trading and Handicrafts and J-Anne Licup Woodcraft. APFTI partner producers generated a total of P 1,079,070 in cash and negotiated sales.

Iligan and Bukidnon producers improve safety and quality systems, showcase products

Two successive trainings on safety and quality systems were conducted for Iligan and Bukidnon food and handicrafts producers enrolled under the IEDP.

A seminar on “Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)” was given to food producers on October 1-2. On the other hand, a session on “Crafts Design Development” was provided to crafts producers on October 4-5. HACCP, an internationally prescribed food safety management system, looks into ways to eliminate food contamination as it identifies safety control points at different stages of food processing. For the craft sector, the training gave the producers with means on how to be updated with the latest trends and on how to adapt to these developments in consideration of the existing designs, techniques, materials and resources that they have.

Later that month, another two-day seminar on “Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)” was provided to food producers on October 23-24, 2007. The training provided the participants with templates in preparing a sanitation guideline for their operations. The session also oriented them on Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) certification process and facilitated the preparation of documentary requirements for the issuance of BFAD License to Operate (LTO).

Caraga Producers join Buy Pinoy 2007

Caraga producers joined the 14th Buy Pinoy Exporter Fair, organized by the Philippine Exporter’s Confederation (PHILEXPORT), on November 29 to December 2, 2007, at SM Megatrade Halls 1 and 2. APFTI’s product development outputs were showcased during the fair, which included holiday and home décor, fashion accessories, furniture and home furnishings. Participating producers were: Create Food, Joy Table Sauce, Marjeck Food, De Lara Agsam Novelties, Adolf Coco Beads, RJ Wood, Top Zion and CHMAI.


Antique producers improve product labels, re-compute prices

Thirty producers (30) from the food and crafts sector of Antique have partnered with APFTI in developing their entrepreneurship as small business holders and in accessing new markets for their food and handicrafts products. In cooperation with the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), APFTI began implementing its Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP) in November, for 10 food producers and 12 crafts manufacturers in the province. APFTI Executive Director Rommel Agustin signified the organization’s commitment to maximize possible avenues for market access during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on November 20-21, 2007.

APFTI also created partnerships with the province’s individual muscovado sugar millers. The organization opted to use an industry-focused approach in developing the province’s muscovado sugar industry. Seven (7) small sugar millers underwent the initial stage of APFTI’s In-Depth Coaching Program. After a round of consultations, APFTI Area manager Regina Gaza designed a specific program that responds to the needs of the small millers’ product quality, production efficiency and market-matching requirements.


Costing and pricing training

As the opening training course, “Effective Pricing and Costing” was provided to 30 IEDP producers from Antique, on November 28-29, 2007. The training taught methods of computing a price that can aid in enhancing the product’s market-ability without compromising the value of labor and the need to maintain a reasonable profit. At the end of the session, the producers came up with price computations for five kinds of products that they make. APFTI Training Officer Liza Zurbito observed: “The session enabled them to realize that, for a time, they have undervalued their products because of the notion that the only way to make the goods competitive in the market, is to keep prices low.”


Packaging and labeling design

Seventeen (17) Antique food producers improved their product labels in a packaging and labeling design development activity carried out by two graphic designers from APFTI. The designers visited each producer and assessed their business goals and marketing directions. The design process gave considerations to these producer-set directions, as designers added these elements to the final logo and label designs. The provinces’ food producers offer a range of traditional and new products that include bandi candies and other muscovado sugar based delicacy, vegetable-based noodles, bakery products, and processed meat and fish products.


Public and private sector initiatives recognize the value of Fair Trade

The importance and value of promoting the standards and principles of Fair Trade have steadily gained recognition among public and private sector institutions involved in SME development.

APFTI participated and exhibited Fair Trade products and advocacy materials during the OTOP Summit, held on November 28, 2007 at the Philippine Trade Training Center and at the 2007 Buy Pinoy Exporters’ Fair held on November 29 to December 2, 2007, at SM Megatrade Hall.

The OTOP Summit, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, gathered local government executives and trade officials from different parts of the country to showcase best practices and approaches in developing the competitiveness of their OTOP products. The event also recognized best market-performing products developed during the course of the program. APFTI showcased through an exhibit, the programs it has been implementing to ensure that small community enterprises can enjoy the same opportunity to access appropriate markets. DTI awarded and recognized APFTI during the closing program.

In another event, APFTI facilitated the participation of its partner producers from Bicol and Caraga in the Buy Pinoy Exporters’ Fair. A complementing advocacy booth was set up in order to educate consumers on the development impact of supporting local producers with sound social and environmental practices. An annual event organized by the Exporters Confederation of the Philippines, the Buy Pinoy Exporters’ Fair gives local consumers the opportunity to buy export quality products. It also allows local manufacturers to position themselves in the domestic market by introducing their products to local consumers and meeting local retailers and institutional buyers.


APFTI joins PhilSEN

As a new member of the Philippine Social Enterprise Network (PhilSEN), a coalition of non-profit and business organizations working for the socio-economic development of disadvantaged sectors, APFTI shared its expertise on enterprise development in a forum establishing “Communities of Practice (COP)”. The network sees COPs as discussion avenues that focus on the unification of efforts for the development of a particular industry chain wherein a number of social enterprises are dependent at. It aims to merge knowledge and programs that address common issues and concerns that may surface upon analyzing value chains.



Communities of Practice

The forum held in Boracay from October 22-24 identified the need to create distribution channels for raw and processed products harvested and made by marginalized producers. It also discussed the role that private and non-profit business development service providers can take in helping social enterprises with their logistical requirements. APFTI signified its participation to the Essential Oil, Bamboo, and Seaweed CoPs, since a number of APFTI producers are working within the bounds of those value chains. The organization further expressed its willingness to explore partnerships pertaining to the use of appropriate technology, creation of marketing channels, and the institutionalization of linkages with other network members who are similarly supporting producers within those sub-sectors.


Bamboo value chain tour

As a member of the Bamboo CoP of the Philsen Network, APFTI participated in a study tour to Dumaguete City last December 7, 2008. The exposure activity looked into the value chain of Buglas Bamboo, Inc. (BBI), a leading bamboo-based enterprise that develops and markets products coming from small bamboo producers. The study mission visited bamboo producers’ communities and analyzed the strategies that the company has employed to organize communities and looked into the systems instituted to ensure quality and supply chain efficiency. The participants saw the sharing of experiences as an effective tool that can encourage replication of good business and social practices.

Asian Forum on Solidarity Economy:
APFTI co-hosts Asian Forum on Solidarity Economy

APFTI, together with the Asia Fair Trade Forum (AFTF) and the Christian Businessmen’s Forum (CBF), hosted the Asian Forum on Solidarity Economy. The forum gathered Socially Responsible Investors (SRIs) and Socially Responsible Enterprises (SREs) from 26 countries in a four-day conference, which ran from October 17-20, 2007 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. The forum served as a venue for sharing information, showcasing best practices and building alliances that can lead to the creation of a solidarity economy that will be operating under the framework of social and environmental responsibility. The event was the culmination of a five-year work-group strategy initiated by Corporate Social Responsibility-Small and Medium Enterprises-Asia (CSR-SME Asia) and the Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation (FPH).

New initiatives on Corporate Social Responsibility, Fair Trade, Solidarity-Based Supply Chains, Ethical Investments and Micro-finance were discussed during the forum’s plenary and workshop groups. The session drafted outlines on how groups advancing the concept can systematically work together and complement each other’s strengths and inadequacies. A “Think Tank” was formed to consolidate the insights that surfaced during the forum and to translate them into a more precise policy and action agenda.

APFTI Advocacy Officer, Ester Gamboa and Advocacy Manager, Ronald Lagazo facilitated the sessions on “Becoming a Socially Responsible Entrepreneur” and “Making Fair Trade Work in the Philippines”.

APFTI showcases indigenous crafts in ASEAN crafts show

APFTI exhibited the indigenous crafts of artisans from Mindanao in the 25th anniversary of the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA) International Expo, a 4-day show, which ran from November 22-25, 2007, at SMX Convention and Exhibition Center, SM Mall of Asia.

The exposition gathered crafts manufacturers and indigenous artisans from ASEAN member-countries to realize its goals of correlating the appreciation and awareness of cultural roots among people to the aspiration of economic progress. In its concurrent sessions, APFTI Executive Director Rommel Agustin, gave a presentation on “Production, trading, and valuation of artisans’ art under the framework of Fair Trade,” specifically highlighting the goals of the movement to provide fair valuation and fair payments to indigenous artisans, and the need to build artisan’s capacities and capabilities that can empower them in trade.


APFTI conducts Gender Responsive Planning

For the quarter, APFTI embarked on gender mainstreaming activities that aim to make the programs and services of the organization more people-focused and gender responsive.

It joined the rest of Cordaid partners in coming up with gender indicators that can be used in evaluating current programs and services, as well as in formulating indicators for the program’s stakeholders, particularly within the level of the enterprise. APFTI participated in the “Gender Mainsteaming in the Entrepreneurship Sector”, hosted by the Ahon sa Hirap Foundation, at the ASHI office from October 21-24, 2007. The session identified the need for organizations to push above the level of providing women with “welfare and access” and institute mechanisms that can guarantee women’s participation and control by embarking on gender responsive capacity building programs and by raising awareness on gender issues among their stakeholders. The presence of those mechanisms, the workshops have revealed, can translate socio-economic improvement to transformation in power relationships among genders. The group affirmed that more than a program requirement, the creation of a gender-responsive learning community among Cordaid partners can make the sharing of experiences and practices possible.

As a follow-up session to the initial Gender Sensitivity Training for its staff, the organization also “gender-diagnosed” its core documents, programs and policies and projected action plans in a Gender Responsive Planning (GRP) session held in Tagaytay from November 5 to 7, 2007. The two-day session targeted to build APFTI’s skills and knowledge in putting the GAD framework to operations, particularly, in its annual work plan and future projects. Training facilitators, Ms. Aida Santos and Ms. Len Mesina designed a hybrid program that reviewed basic GST concepts and prepared the organization in conducting gender-responsive planning.



APFTI shares experiences on enterprise development among grassroots enterprises


APFTI participated in a multi-stakeholder forum “Rural Democratization and Development Forum” organized by the Philippine Network of Rural Development Institutes, Inc. (Philnet-RDI) in Davao City, on November 27-29, 2007. The forum surfaced experiences and stories of grassroots-led organizations addressing issues of peace, rural democratization and development in Mindanao. Arnel Astillero, APFTI Program Development Manager, joined the forum and gave inputs related to the organization’s programs and strategies in developing community enterprises, particularly, in Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Soccsksargen.


APFTI joins MFIs in re-visiting social responsibility missions


APFTI Executive Director Rommel Agustin served as a resource person on Fair Trade. Interrelating it to the concept of social responsibility and social performance, he emphasized that the efforts of enterprises to integrate social responsibility to their operations have a direct and immediate positive effect to their central goals of profitability and viability. The participants affirmed the need to re-consider their policies that put efficiency above their original mission of bringing about social development. Organized by the Services Provider and Capability Enhancer, Inc. (SPACE), a non-government organization that provides capacity building programs to NGOs and POs, the “Social Responsibility and Social Performance Forum” gathered profit and non-profit organizations, majority of which are micro-finance institutions, that works for the socio-economic development of marginalized sectors through enterprise development.


APFTI reinforces awareness on Fair Trade among PUP students

The Entrepreneurship Students Society (ESS) made Fair Trade the theme of their Annual Entrepreneurship Grand Seminar, held in celebration of the College Week of the College of Business on November 23, 2007 at the Jasmin Manila Room, PUP Graduate School. APFTI provided an orientation to 250 students on the concept and principles of Fair Trade. The sharing of Ms. Vie Reyes of Bote Central, Inc. complemented the discussion. She shared among the students, the approach that they have adopted in sourcing, processing and marketing their Fair Trade coffee. The orientation serves as a regular activity that introduces the concept of Fair Trade to the organization’s expanding membership. A year ago, the organization adopted the advocacy of Fair Trade, putting it in its vision statement.

2nd Quarter 2007

Iloilo OTOP and Fair Trade Fair highlights best Ilongo products

In celebration of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Week, in Iloilo City, APFTI led a weeklong One Town One Product (OTOP) Iloilo and Fair Trade Fair that ran from July 9 to July 15, 2007, at the Activity Center of SM Iloilo. With 12 of its partner producers participating in the fair, APFTI took the opportunity to align the direction of the fair to the goals of Fair Trade. The organization set-up a Fair Trade-themed central display and held orientations about the advocacy among producers, consumers and trade officials from the province.

APFTI Executive Director, Rommel Agustin, also joined the press conference and communicated the organization’s call for social and environmental justice in trade. APFTI also occupied an advocacy booth that promoted Fair Trade principles among local consumers.

Together with the regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Council and the Iloilo Producers Association (IPA), the activity provided local manufacturers with a platform to expose their products to local consumers, thus, creating production, trading and consumption chains within the local level.

The fair generated a total of P 672,000 in cash and negotiated sales. Ninfel Pasalubong Center registered the highest figure, selling a total of P97,178 worth of dried fish and marine products.


Northern Mindanao producers join Kagay-an Festival 07

Sixteen APFTI partner producers joined Northern Mindanao SMEs in a week long fair at Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, on August 23-29, 2007. Dubbed as “Kagay-an Festival 2007,” the fair highlighted the food and handicrafts products from the 5 provinces of the region. APFTI facilitated the participation of 16 producers from Bukidnon and Iligan, which carried the outputs of its Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP), particularly, the new designs rendered under the product development component of the program.

APFTI partner producers sold P 272,340 worth of products during the fair. Among the food producers, the perfectly sliced banana chips of NM Foods registered the highest cash sales. For crafts, BS Crafts’s sinamay and tikog bags, gathered considerable orders. The following also participated in the fair: Ardaiel Calamansi, Faj Butter Cookies, Silverlights Patatas, Loulen’s Food, and Tita Viz Finest Pies, RM Rattan Furniture, Dire Husi Tribal Crafts, Sunflower Chantilly Bars, Ruban’s Squid Crackers and Vjandep Pastel.

Together with Northern Mindanao-based Fair Trade advocate, Salay Handmade Paper Industries, Inc. (SHAPII), APFTI maximized the opportunity to campaign among local consumers the value of supporting enterprises within the region, that by doing so, they can make an impact on the quality of life of small producers and their families. For years, APFTI has been working closely with public and private sector institutions to stir up local consumption of products made by community enterprises within the locality.



APFTI supports OTOP Luzon Island Fair

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) partnered with APFTI in holding the 2nd OTOP Luzon Island Fair, at SM Megatrade Halls 2 and 3, on August 8-12, 2007. The fair gathered OTOP products from small and medium enterprises in the 8 regions and 37 provinces of Luzon. One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines seeks to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country with LGUs of each city and municipality identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service that the town can produce with a competitive advantage.

The OTOP program supports community enterprises (MSMEs) in manufacturing and marketing distinctive local products that use indigenous raw materials and capitalize on local skills and talents. Seeing congruence in objectives, APFTI has been supporting and maximizing OTOP-fairs as avenues for the organization to resonate its campaign among local consumers. For this fair, an advocacy booth was set-up to showcase some products from its partner producers and to present the standards of Fair Trade.



APFTI showcases strategy among BDS providers at SME Expo 2007

With the call: “Let your purchase make a difference,” APFTI joined the community of business development service (BDS) providers in a 4-day fair held at SM Megatrade Hall 1 and 2, last July 19-22, 2007. In celebration of SME week and with the theme: “Ang Galing Mo Pinoy! Go Negosyo!,” the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMED) consolidated various government, private and non-profit business service providers in an exposition that made SME development programs from these various institutions popular and accessible to the public, particularly among emerging producers and enterprises.

In an advocacy booth, APFTI presented its programs and services. The strategy of looking into the enterprise’s viability and sustainability issues while aligning their practices to Fair Trade received commendation from visitors, particularly among institutions that promote social responsibility among business entities. New networks within the community were established and opportunities to partner with government and private institutions were explored.


APFTI explores project opportunities in Aklan, Iloilo and Capiz

APFTI’s Program Development unit held a 4-day study mission in the provinces of Aklan, Iloilo and Capiz, from July 9 to 13, 2007. The group visited producers, facilitated focused group discussions, and networked with government and non-profit organizations.

With the provincial officers of DTI and area managers of Bayan Foundation, APFTI explored possible areas of complementation and collaboration. ABS-CBN’s Bayan Foundation has been extending micro-finance and capacity building activities to community enterprises and home-based producers in these provinces. The group visited Bayan’s pool of producers in the fields of basket weaving, abaca slippers production, and crabmeat processing. In the same light, Bayan looked into the possibility of extending their financing programs to some of APFTI’s partner-producers. The group visited HAMPCO and Rosa Foods in Aklan, and Bread and Butter in Iloilo.

Through sectoral discussions, Bayan presented their programs and services and explained the procedures on how to avail them. While acknowledging the promise of potential partnerships, APFTI Resource Mobilization Manager, Arnel Astillero, however, stressed the need to first organize and consolidate Bayan’s home-based producers before APFTI can finally intervene on their product development and marketing concerns.


Caraga food and craft producers enhances competitiveness through IEDP

The Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP) commenced in Caraga through the trainings, product development, and market assessment activities conducted by APFTI for the benefit of 11 food producers and 6 crafts manufacturers enrolled in the program.

Product Development for Crafts

Caraga handicrafts producers underwent APFTI’s design development program. Two designers were sent to enhance the designs and make them competitive in domestic and global markets. The outputs for the engagement will initially be shown at the upcoming Buy Pinoy Exporter’s Fair. Caraga Handicrafts, Adolph Coco Beads, De Lara Agsam Novelties, Top Zion, RJ Wood Arts and Crafts and Wild Trend Woodcrafts participated in the activity.


Training on int’l trends in crafts

Forty producers and workers in the handcrafts industry of CARAGA, participated in a 2-day training on “Design Trends and Directions in Crafts”, held last August 23-24, 2007, in Butuan City. As a component of IEDP, the training involved key persons responsible in the design development of the region’s emerging crafts industry. The region’s small crafts producers have been instrumental in utilizing the area’s vast supply of indigenous vines and twigs. Celeste Peralta, product buyer and designer, gave the participants common and recurring buyer preferences in trading crafts for both mainstream and niche markets. To maximize the opportunity, she also visited selected production sites and advised the producers on creative techniques that they can adopt to consistently improve their designs.

Food product improvement and label design development

APFTI’s technical unit underwent a one-week product assessment and packaging/labeling design development to improve the aesthetic value of the products of 11 producers in Caraga. Targeting markets outside the region (Butuan, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur), the 11 producers collaborated with APFTI’s in-house designer in making cost-efficient and visually appealing labels.

And to further look for ways to maximize the products’ marketing potentials, APFTI Marketing Supervisor, Jennifer Garana visited the producers and assessed possible marketing channels and opportunities, where the products of the region would most likely fit. With the assistance of APFTI’s food technologist, the producers developed 9 new food product ideas. Food consultant, Divina Alcasabas, visited 5 enterprises and advised them on ways to improve their products. She focused on sensory appeal, formulation, manufacturing and cooking processes. At the end of the engagement, new products and formula variations were introduced.

Joy Table Sauce explored the potentials of developing a spaghetti sauce out of the company’s existing banana catsup. The consultant also looked into the possibility of coming up with a vegetable-fortified canton noodles for Marjeck; 3-in-1 corn drink for Sunrise Corn, canned bangus for Jose Amparo Fish Farm, and calamansi concentrate for Lily’s Food. To maximize the on-site visits, the consultant took the opportunity to orient the workers on the basics of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Food safety training

Attended by 45 participants from the food manufacturing industry in CARAGA, the training on Food Safety Management, otherwise known as ISO 22000, tackled the basic conditions that must be met in food product preparation to guarantee the end product’s optimum safety and quality. Held last August 21-22, 2007, in Butuan City, APFTI consultant and food expert, Luz Lizada identified priority areas wherein an enterprise could focus on, in order to attain satisfactory product safety and quality, despite the limited facility and inadequate resources


South Cotabato producer org sets direction

APFTI facilitated the formation of Producers-Processors Association of South Cotabato (PPASCo), an organization of food and handcrafts producers, mostly enrolled in its Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP). In a two-day capacity building seminar, held last August 1-2, 2007, APFTI consultant Jyon Hontanosas, in partnership with DTI South Cotabato Provincial Office, assisted PPASCo in formulating an annual development plan that can put direction and focus to the group, putting considerations to the improvement of the internal capacity of the association and to the identification of external issues that affect the conditions of small producers.


Oxfam Club brings HK students to Cebu communities

The Cebu Fair Trade Network (CFTN), Southern Partners and Fair Trade Corporation (SPFTC) and APFTI, in coordination with Oxfam Hongkong, brought Hong Kong high school students to farmers’ and workers’ communities in Cebu City. The week-long exposure and immersion mission, held last July 31-August 6, 2007, provided the students with a picture of the current state of farmers and urban poor workers in Cebu. It also familiarized them with the efforts of SPFTC and CFTN in addressing the inequities being encountered by small producers, through the practice and promotion of Fair Trade.

Through the activity, the students experienced the day-to day life of farmers and urban poor communities, as they had the chance to actually interact and live with them for a week. They also had the opportunity to see and track down the value chain of the products being produced by these local communities. At the end of the activity, the students interrelated the act of consumption to the conditions of marginalized communities and individuals. The group surfaced the contributions that they can do in making the systems of production and trading, relatively equitable.



Cooperatives undergo business-planning write-shop

APFTI Consultant, Penpen Libres, conducted a four-day write-shop and planning session to address the directional concerns of its partner cooperatives, enrolled under the In-Depth Coaching Program (IN DEPTH). The training was held last August 13-14, 2007 in Butuan City. The IN DEPTH Coaching Program is an enterprise development program that provides one-on-one mentoring to entrepreneurs and addresses specific and time-bound enterprise concerns.

Using a “theory-practice” approach, the planning session tackled methodologies in making and harmonizing the company’s marketing, production, management, financial and sustainability plans. APFTI partners, FEDARCCO, CMPC and Habitat, involved their key personnel in the training.


APFTI starts IEDP in Antique, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon

APFTI’s advocacy unit held a series of Fair Trade Advisory courses in the provinces of Antique, Catanduanes and Sorsogon, in the month of September, to mark the start of the Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP). As an initial course, the advisory provides a detailed discussion on how to fit the standards and indicators of Fair Trade to each client’s production and trading conditions. It seeks to deepen the client’s appreciation on social and environmentally sound production and trading practices, as it relates these practices to the enterprise’s viability and efficiency considerations.

1st Quarter 2007

2007 Fair Trade Partners’ Conference
searches for a distinct brand

The 2007 Fair Trade Partners’ Conference took a more aggressive attempt to position Fair Trade producers and products in the domestic market; a strategic direction that has been identified during the 2006 Partners’ Conference in Bohol. To attain this aspiration, this year’s conference set its focus on the exploration of a distinct brand that could aid in the development of the domestic market for Fair Trade products; it searched for that “One Fair Trade Brand”—an identity that initially, may be difficult to establish but in countless instances, has been identified as a vital tool that can capture the interest and support of local consumers.

The three-day conference held at Mallberry Suites Business Hotel, Limketkai, Cagayan De Oro City, on April 11-13, 2007, for the fourth time, gathered APFTI’s Fair Trade Partners from various regions and sectors; a convergence of more than 50 organizations and 120 individuals that further sustained long-established partnerships and networks.

Like in the past years, the conference became a suitable venue wherein Fair Trade practitioners, from different parts of the country, shared their experiences, insights and best practices. But above all, this year’s conference confronted the basic challenge of penetrating into the local consumers’ consciousness. APFTI and the rest of the participants resolved to do it in a unitary and cohesive fashion.

“If we don’t start, who will?” asked Mrs. Loreta Rafisura of Salay Handmade Paper Industries, Inc. in her welcome address. Indeed, the conference’s tone of boldness and audacity has been set during the opening ceremony by the messages delivered by APFTI Executive Director Rommel Agustin and APFTI Chairperson Vicente Roaring. Attended by Cordaid’s representative Ms. Harma Hademaker and APFTI’s board, management and staff, the activities for the three-day conference were outlined during the night, and it has been emphasized that in order to come up with solid results, the complete interest and involvement of the participants were crucial.

On the second day, the conference established the rationale and the imperatives needed to develop a well-crafted Fair Trade brand. The conference traced the strategic shifts of the global movement. Among these changes was the emergence of stronger domestic markets within southern countries (developing nations), which grew to be beneficial for smaller producers, in terms of accessibility and sustainability.

On the succeeding sessions, the participants affirmed that they could do well in the equally competitive domestic market by looking into the very values that set Fair Trade producers apart from mainstream businesses. They see these values as points for differentiation and merit. Something that when efficiently articulated and delivered, can in fact create a unique selling proposition—producing advantages comparable to that of a mainstream brand. Through creative group workshops and exercises, they characterized the “feel” and the “personality” of the brand.

APFTI, later on, presented the developments of the National Fair Trade Labeling Initiative, a move that the Philippine Fair Trade Movement has been conceptualizing for quite a time, and has been seen as a single independent guarantee that can possibly justify the claims created by the collective brand. The brand and the independent label, the participants re-asserted, can deliver a selling point and can answer the producer’s basic concern---sustained and favorable sales transactions.

The last session for the day elaborated that aside from opening up collective marketing opportunities, the practice of Fair Trade principles as a personal and conscious commitment can create long-term advantageous impact on a number of viability and sustainability concerns of a business venture. The standards and indicators embodied in its principles have a direct impact on productivity, product safety and quality, and access to various governmental and non-governmental programs.

On the last day, actual experiences and practical pointers on how to penetrate the domestic market were discussed. As a culmination, the last day confronted the workload and challenges that were identified. The thorough process of complying with the standards, coming up with a distinct brand, and increasing the public’s acceptability of the label, require that each stakeholder (the producers, the government and Filipino Fair Trade Organizations) draw out their contributions and identify their responsibilities in the process. APFTI’s programs and services, for most of the participants, have played a significant part for them to incorporate the standards of Fair Trade to their practices and operations. The programs and services of APFTI were later reviewed so as to make it consistent with the challenges and issues tackled during the sessions.

The closing ceremonies capped the sessions with a call for unity. The Conference Resolution was then presented to the plenary:

2007 Fair Trade Partners’ Conference Resolutions

We, Fair Trade Producers and Partners from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, gathered for the 2007 Fair Trade Partners’ Conference, re-affirm our commitment to Fair Trade as a viable, sustainable, and responsible way of doing business.

This affirmation propels us to advocate and practice Fair Trade through the following:

1) Persistently work to build a domestic market for Fair Trade products--exploring avenues in the mainstream and alternative markets for our products by consistently improving our product quality and competitiveness.

2) Gradually align our production and trading practices with the standards and indicators of Fair Trade as embodied by the Philippine National Fair Trade Labeling Initiative. We see the label as an independent guarantee that could support our claims of being different in relation to our solemn social and environmental commitments.

3) Creatively work for the development of a Fair Trade Brand that reflects the values and systems of Fair Trade. We see it as a way of communicating to the consumers the idea that by supporting and buying products made by Fair Trade producers, they can give their share to the end-goal of Fair Trade—poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

4) Intensify the advocacy of Fair Trade, by promoting and campaigning for it, at the level of our own organizations—our workers, direct partners, suppliers, farmers and business allies, and finally, sending the same message to our buyers and consumers within our respective localities.

These we all commit ourselves to, as we continuously partner with producers, trade officials, and other organizations, and incessantly build long-term relationships until finally, we reach that goal of living in a fairer world.

In a symbolic formation of overlapping circles, the participants signified their vows to take part and carry out their individual commitments to uphold and practice Fair Trade while simultaneously integrating their efforts to promote and advocate for it, with the rest of the national and global movements.

Fair Trade Zone brings FT producers to Manila FAME

As the culmination of the European Market Access to Filipino Fair Trade Craft and Food Producers (a European Union funded project under its Small Project Facility), 14 crafts producers and intermediaries with new product prototypes were presented to the country’s premiere international crafts fair—the 2007 Manila FAME. The show ran from April18-21 at the World Trade Center in Manila.

APFTI gathered them into a Fair Trade Zone wherein they had the opportunity to meet and negotiate with buyers, both Fair Trade and mainstream alike. APFTI also hosted an exclusive buyer-producer night where the parties have established better understanding of each other’s concerns for quality, volume and organizational development.

From Rizal, CD handicrafts’ poly resin and fiber-glass products was lauded because of its attempt to fuse delicate Asian patterns with modern materials. ELMN and RS Manufacturing’s bags also mixed indigenous materials with premium skins. From Bicol, JM Handicrafts experimented with the usual abaca woven bags by using new colors. From Aklan, traditional weaving style and patterns were subdued and rendered minimalist, which is the current demand in Europe. La Herminia Pina Weaving Industry, Rentillo Enterprises, Dela Cruz House of Pina, Uswag Arts and Crafts, Silver Arts and Crafts, Heritage Arts and Crafts, and Lima Interior Design represented the province. D and E Mats from Samar, has explored the idea of using the traditional tikog mat in making lamps and handbags. Cristy’s Craft House, known for its sinamay packaging materials, has appraised their product’s value by making fully functional bags out of sinamay and other indigenous materials. Finally, Non-Timber Products Exchange Program carried in their line, products, such as boxes and office organizers, made by Indigenous Peoples from South Cotabato.

Fair Trade Zone features small producers at IFEX 2007

Ten food producers, who have underwent the European Market Access to Filipino Fair Trade Crafts and Food Producers, joined the rest of the country’s bigger mainstream food enterprises in the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) 2007. IFEX, an annual event organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), gathers the best, export-prepared, Filipino food and beverage manufacturers and links them to international market opportunities. The show ran from May 18-20, 2007 at the World Trade Center.

APFTI partner producers offered product lines that carry Filipino ethnicity yet meet international standards on quality. Metro Manila-based Fair Trade companies Moondish Inc. and Bote Central fared well with both local and international buyers. Moondish Food Corporation showcased their coco-based, canned vegetable products such as laing, camansi, ginataan to exporters tapping the global OFW market. Bote Central Inc.’s Alamid Coffee also received good buyers feedback. Southern Partners and Fair Trade Corporation in Cebu with their dried mangoes and mango puree also secured good deals with buyers. The following also participated in the zone: Navarro Food International with their crab meat products, Cely’s Pilinut and Belen’s Pinahamis na Pili with their pili-based delicacies, Rosa Foods with their processed meat products, K and J Quality Seafood with their bottled bangus, Kablon Farms with their organic jams and jellies and finally, Citra Mina with their value-added tuna products.

2007 Yamang Mindanao Island Trade Fair platforms best of Mindanao’s community enterprises

On its 2nd year, Yamang Mindanao OTOP Island Trade Fair showcased the best crafts and food products of SME’s from Mindanao on June 29-July 2, 2007 at the KCC Mall, General Santos City.

Yamang Mindanao’s fundamental goals of “opening opportunities by bringing-in the buyers to where the producers are” and “engaging local consumers to support their own producers” were achieved and have brought significant sales results to majority of participating enterprises.

APFTI, as the co-organizer of the event, has focused on activities meant towards realizing these basic goals. The marketing unit took over the fair’s buyer-producer business matching and sponsored the consumer behavior training for participating producers. The advocacy unit set up a Fair Trade advocacy booth at the fair’s entrance to campaign among local consumers and participating producers the standards, principles and impact of Fair Trade. With the call “Let your purchase make a difference,” the booth showed the social, economic and environmental impact of Fair Trade adhering enterprises through an exhibit of pictures that correlated the act of buying Fair Trade products to the socio-economic development of communities wherein a significant FT enterprise operates. The organization’s goal was also described as that of “harmonizing quality and social responsibility”. It showed various pictures detailing the organization’s banner programs.

APFTI’s task in co-organizing the event did not end at the dilemma of staging the exhibit and allowing producers to get cash sales transactions, but rather, it ensured that the producers would get long-term deals by facilitating long-term business linkages with the visiting buyers. Complementing DTI’s goal of an increased sales figure this year, APFTI focused on formation of relationships and influencing consumer behavior; a complementation that made the organization’s presence during the fair all the more relevant, giving direction and aligning Yamang Mindanao to its fundamental vision.


Aklan Fiber Festival strengthens Fair Trade advocacy

APFTI partnered with DTI-Aklan in staging the 8th Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival that ran from April 22 to 27, 2007 at the Provincial Capitol grounds. The fair exhibited Aklan’s best products of blended, loomwoven fabrics, fashion accessories and furnishings, from pina, abaca, raffia and other indigenous fibers. For the food sector, it also showcased deboned bangus, processed meat and bakery products. The general objective of the fair to open opportunities for small Aklanon industries complemented APFTI’s effort in Aklan to facilitate the emergence of viable and responsible ventures growing within communities.

Fourteen APFTI partner producers in the province showcased their products at a special setting designed by well-known Aklan based designer PJ Aranador. An advocacy booth about Fair trade was also set up to provide information on Fair Trade. An orientation on Fair Trade was also held to familiarize the participants and the rest of the stakeholders to the advocacy.

Food experts check food producers’ processes

Food experts conducted a month-long on-site production advisory to 10 food producers under the European Market Access to Filipino Crafts and Food Producers Project last March. Seasoned food experts Alicia Pineda, Divina Alcasabas, Lybia Chavez, and Philippine Business for Social Progress team, and Henry Palaca visited the production areas of Bote Central and Moondish, Inc.in Manila, Kablon and Citra Mina in Mindanao, Cely’s Pilinut and Belen’s Pinahamis in Bicol, Navarro Foods in Pampanga, Rosa Foods and Kand J in Aklan and SPFTC in Cebu.

The food production consultation aims to enable partner producers to develop food products, including their appropriate packaging and labeling, that would be suitable to the demands of the European market. It also aims to facilitate producer’s compliance to the minimum requirements of EU, in terms of product quality and production specifications.

People to People Tour pilots in Albay

APFTI conducted the initial run for the “People to People Tour” last May 2 to 8, 2007 at Albay, with 2 European guests from Traidcraft Exchange, immersing to community producers’ area and visiting eco-tourism spots. The weeklong tour was designed to promote the products of small community producers to northern buyers, while allowing them to acquire deeper understanding on the condition of the makers. APFTI has drawn logistical as well as programmatic lessons from the conduct of this initial tour, which can be used as the basis for developing a complete project specifically focusing on the use of tourism as an avenue for linking buyers and producers.

My Fair Share Monologues amplify Fair Trade Celebration

Held last May 24, 2007 at Access Point in Quezon City, “My Fair Share: A Fair Trade Celebration” gathered Fair Trade advocates in a celebration that highlighted the role of producers and consumers in making Fair Trade happen. APFTI annually gathers major players in the Philippine Fair Trade movement to celebrate the contributions of small producers who are practicing social and environmental justice in the conduct of their operations, and to further propagate the advocacy to other allies that could help advance the cause.

The celebration for the year took a different form and it presented the advocacy in a striking way—monologues that carried the stories of small producers from different settings and situations. Students from the University of the Philippines in Los Banos brought to stage various the dilemmas being encountered by producers who are disadvantaged by unfair trading practices. Four characters were introduced to the audience; the coffee farmer, the pilinut delicacy maker, the pina weaver and the conscious consumer. The characters are inspired by actual personas that are recognizable among Fair Trade advocates because they are the sectors wherein the movement works closely with.


De La Salle students brew coffee, talk about Fair Trade

De La Salle University students crafted and implemented a social marketing plan for Fair Trade through a coffee campaign that ran from March 21-23, 2007 at the DLSU chess plaza.

For the campaign, a coffee booth was set-up, introducing Bote Central-Serenity’s mountain coffee. The mountain coffee, during last year’s social marketing campaign, evoked interests among the students and received the most number of inquiries, as compared to the other items that were made available. The advocacy unit opted to make the commodity the focus of this year’s campaign, simplifying the message without compromising its lucidity. Interrelating the activity further to the advocacy unit’s key programs, the booth presented the practices that have been documented during the audit of Bote Central, particularly focusing on the impact of fair pricing to the community in Mt. Matutum in Polomolok, General Santos City.

APFTI organizes local study mission for Aklan producers

Eleven producers and DTI officials from Aklan participate in a local study mission to various food manufacturing companies in Manila last May 16 and 17, 2007.
The tour allowed the participants to look into these companies’ good manufacturing practices, sanitation procedures, business processes and new technology. The group visited YSTAPHIL, Monde Nissin, Food Development Center, Packaging Research and Development Center, Mixplant, Inc. San Miguel Packaging Specialist. The tour culminated in the International Food Exhibition 2007 where the participants had the opportunity to learn from the exhibitors and buyers in the fair.


Xavier University assist in calamansi concentrate product development

APFTI partnered with the Food Technology Department of the College of Agriculture, Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City in developing the calamansi concentrate of Ardaiel Food Products, a producer in Lanao del Norte enrolled APFTI’s Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP).

The Department assisted Ardaiel in improving the quality of their calamansi juice concentrate and in coming up with a formula for a ready-to-drink variation. Sensory evaluation and analysis were also conducted to improve the texture, taste and color of the concentrate.

Soccsksargen producers learn better negotiation skills

In preparation for Yamang Mindanao, a seminar on “Effective Trade Fair Participation” was given to 23 producers in Soccsksargen last June 7-8, 2007 at General Santos City. The training discussed techniques in communicating the merits of the product to the target market. Through the training, APFTI expects that producers could maximize the available opportunities during trade fairs.


Bicol producers re-examine pricing strategy

Twenty-three producers from Bicol attended a seminar on pricing strategy, held last May 3-4, 2007 at Sorsogon. Through effective pricing and costing, APFTI believes that producers can increase the marketability of their products, at the same time, sustain their operations. The resource person emphasized that producers should be careful about computing the price of their products; losses are incurred whenever they fail to compute the actual cost of production.


APFTI conducts Fair Trade orientation in Camarines Norte, Catanduanes and Antique

The Colloquium introduced Fair Trade to community enterprises, onset the selection of clients for IEDP under the Accelerated Market Access for Community Enterprises (AMACE) Program.

Some of the producers were already assisted by APFTI during the concluded FACE program and through APFTI’s earlier engagements. For the year, APFTI targets to start the program in these provinces by July 2007, providing ample time for the delivery of all the program components, as it prepares the products and the producers for forthcoming provincial and regional fairs.

Camarines Norte

Thirty-five (35) individuals coming from 25 enterprises from the food and crafts sector attended the forum. Fifteen (15) food manufacturers came up for the session, with product lines that include: virgin coconut oil, native delicacies (pili and pan de cillos) and seafood (clams, chicharon, smoked and dried fish). Ten (10) crafts producers, majority of whom are bamboo crafts and furniture makers, also attended the forum. The participants came from all over the province; they came from the municipalities of Talisay, San Lorenzo, Labo, Vinzons, Mercedes, Jose Panganiban, and Daet.

Catanduanes

Thirty individuals coming from 30 enterprises attended the forum. Majority of those who attended were returning clients who showed interest in learning about new programs of APFTI and in upgrading their IEDP levels (e.g. Belen’s, Terestian, Elpedes, CLPA). Twenty-six (26) participants are food producers and 16 are crafts makers.

Antique

Thirty-eight (38) food and crafts producers and DTI personnel attended the forum. A total of 23 enterprises, majority of which are cooperatives and LGU assisted organizations participated in the session. Eighteen (18) of these enterprises are food producers with the following product lines: muscovado sugar and muscovado sugar based delicacies, bakery products, tuna in oil and singkamas pickles, pickled and syruped vegetables, ginger powder, meat products, herbal supplements, banana chips and candies. Six (6) are into handcrafts with the following product lines: nito vines boxes and vases, woven fabric, bamboo furniture, pina fiber weaving, ceramics, buri placemats and hats.

4th Quarter 2006

Philippine Fair Trade Labeling Initiative
begins with Bote Central, Inc. and SPFTC Fair Trade Audit

Preliminary Fair Trade audits that will lead to the formal Fair Trade certification of two organizations were performed last February 2007. Bote Central, Inc, a coffee manufacturing and trading company based in Indang, Cavite and Southern Partners and Fair Trade Corporation (SPFTC), a developmental organization involved in harvesting, processing, and trading fresh and dried mangoes, in Cebu, were audited vis-à-vis the standards and indicators developed by APFTI and the Philippine Fair Trade Forum (PFTF).

APFTI, with the PFTF, for the past years, have been working to establish a national fair trade label that will respond to the following concerns of the Philippine movement 1) To distinguish products produced by Fair Trade Organizations (in the domestic market) among the influx of commercially produced products.2) To make consumers aware of the Fair Trade alternative/choice when they buy their needs.3) To promote fair trade (in the greater scheme) as an alternative way of doing trade / alternative lifestyle. 4) To respond to the growing need for identity of Fair Trade Consumers and Groups.

After a series of consultations with PFTF member-organizations, government and certification bodies, APFTI commissioned the creation of a primer that defined the scope and system of a Philippine Fair Trade Certification. The process has the following characteristics: 1) The Organization is the focal point of certification, 2) Fair Trade indicators adopted to the Philippine scenario, 3) Certification system for enterprises and accreditation system for auditors, 4) Laderized approach to certification

The Standards and Indicators that were used, has converged on the following four main areas: 1) Awareness and Practice of Fair Trade, 2) Human Resource Development and Responsibility, 3) Social Accountability and Transparency, 4) Continuous improvement and Social Development.

While much has to be refined and to be improved, especially on the aspects of documentation, the audit gave way for the best practices of Bote Central, Inc. and SPFTC to surface. Bote Central Inc. for example, drastically improved the income of small mountain coffee farmers in General Santos and Batangas through their price support system that equitably raised the price of Arabica coffee beans from as low as P10 per kilo to P80 per kilo. The fair price permitted the small farmers to invest on equipment like dryers and de-pulpers. SPFTC, in Cebu, on the other hand, has been providing capacity building programs to their producers and has been transparently presenting a price sheet to their producers on their transactions.

UP-based Bicolano organizations ask students to give “Fair Share for Bicol” at UP Fair

UP Ibalon (Bicol), UP Catandungan (Catanduanes) and UP Saro (Camarines Norte), UP-based organizations of students coming from the Bicol Region, has resolved to consolidate their booth allotments at the UP Diliman University Fair, and created a 3m x 9m Fair Trade Zone, wherein products from Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes were sold. The booth, which ran from Febraury 12 to 17, 2007, featured a photo exhibit of the post-calamity situation in Bicol.

The booth introduced the products and the concept of Fair Trade to the UP community, and at the same time, it created awareness on the situation of Bicol producers and communities after the calamities they have encountered. With the theme, “Fair Share for Bicol: Your Responsible Purchase Can Rebuild Lives”, the selling mission gave emphasis on the idea that by choosing and buying products from responsible small producers in this calamity-stricken region, one can contribute in providing sustainable livelihood to communities, thus, hastening the rehabilitation and recovery of the region.

The activity generated a total of P 24, 986 in gross sales. The sales amount was relatively competitive for a crafts sale in a UP fair according to the student-organizers (based on their Catanduanes received the biggest share with P 7894 in total sales (see attached sales report) and Jewam’ Crochet bags registered second with P 7438.50. The handmade scrapbooks and cards from Terestian and the Mazapan de Pili Bars from Belen’s Pinahamis were the best sellers for Catanduanes.


Soccsksargen and Northern Mindanao producers attend strategic marketing training

Ten food producers based in Sarangani and South Cotabato attended the training on “Strategic Marketing in Fair Trade” held at General Santos City, last January 16-17, 2007. The two-day course introduced to the participants the basics of product marketing and positioning, which allowed them to draft an annual marketing and distribution plan for the operations of their actual enterprises. The training program, as a major component of APFTI’s Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP), asserted that despite the limited resources, small producers should still give attention to crucial marketing aspects of their operations, like product promotions, competitor’s activity and channel identification.

The course was also discussed to Iligan-based producers as the final topic that completed the allotted set of trainings under the IEDP. A training on strategic marketing was held last January 22 and 23, 2006 at Iligan City. For these sessions, a group-coaching method was used. The activity combined both structured and experiential approaches in training, banking on the idea of “learning-by-doing”. The participants, at the end of the course, drafted a do-able and capability-focused marketing plan.

Northern Mindanao producers formulate productivity and quality plans

A seminar addressing the productivity and quality concerns of small producers was given to 20 crafts and food producers in Malaybalay, Bukidnon last January 25-26, 2007. The discussion tried to resolve the dilemma commonly faced by small producers---that of striking a balance between improving the production output and the quality of the products made. Constantly occurring production problems were brought up such as: time constraints, workers inefficiency, and uncontrolled operational cost. The discussion allowed the resource speakers to provide practical means to minimize these concerns.

APFTI explores other market access opportunities for Aklan, Guimaras and Iloilo producers

The Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP) utilizes trade fairs as the major marketing avenue wherein outputs of APFTI’s product development program are being presented to the buying public. While participation on such fairs has generated encouraging sales results, APFTI still continuously looks for other avenues that can possibly open up more market access opportunities to its partner producers.

Last January 15-21, 2007 APFTI Marketing Supervisor Jennifer Garana went to Aklan and Iloilo to study other marketing initiatives and opportunities for partner producers within Region 6. While the idea of linking with international and local buyers outside the region could be sustained, potential avenues such as the local shops and selling activities on special events/celebrations can be determined. Together with DTI’s provincial offices, the “Pasalubong Centers” in Kalibo and Guimaras were visited. Garana also looked into the operations of Kalibo and Hugod Aklanon Shops in Boracay, as well as, brainstormed with partner producers on the APFTI’s and Hugod Aklanon’s possible involvement to the upcoming 8th Aklan Pina Fiber Festival.

Food product development for Iloilo producers

APFTI started the implementation of the food product development program to 10 new partner producers who have availed of the Integrated Enterprise Development Program. The sessions that have began this month, will run for three months and were expected to develop 3 new packaging and labeling designs for each partner producer. The food product development was also expected to improve the sensory, ingredient and nutritional characteristics of the products. The following producers underwent the program: AML Food Products (pulvoron), Atsarap Foods (pickles), Badiangan Ginger Planters and Producers Coop (ginger tea), Barotac Viejo Nutri Foods (noodles and cookies), Iloilo Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (Dairy), Jim’s Deli Pasalubong Center (cakes), PJ Delicacies (biscocho, garlic toast), Rgies Delicacies (yema, butterscotch), Pinaka-MMT Multipurpose Cooperative (banana chips), and UMA Foods (pickles salted eggs).

APFTI checks Bicol partner producers after typhoon

APFTI Executive Director Rommel Agustin with the members of APFTI’s Enterprise Development Unit visited the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur to look into the condition of the organization’s Bicol-based partner producers who were seriously affected by the typhoons Reming and Milenyo. The post calamity situation of its producers has an immediate effect to the delivery of APFTI’s basic programs and services. With the visit, measures to adjust with the current production and resource realities of the producers were drawn up. The group saw the need to constantly coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry provincial offices (since majority of the producers were still encountering telecommunications problems) to closely address new challenges that may surface because of the situation.

Product development for Bicol producers continues

Since the product development program for partner producers in Bicol was abruptly disrupted by the series of typhoons that hit the region last year, APFTI has decided to continue the program this quarter after an assessment of the producer’s current condition was done. The visit of 10-29 Designers Juan Miguel Dionisio and Eric Legario to Sorsogon and Albay producers has targeted to deal with the limited production capacity of the producers. They also resolved to come up with prototypes that would maximize the resources available in the area.


APFTI holds design training for local artists in Antique

Tapping UP College of Fine Arts professor Leonardo Rosete, APFTI gave Fair Trade Design training to Antique-based local artists and designers last February 1 and 2, 2007 at the DTI Antique conference room. The strategy of constantly innovating new designs while adapting to local and export markets trends, has been seen as a decisive factor that will give small local enterprises an edge in a design-led product manufacturing competition. Seeing the advantage of having trained designers, APFTI saw the need to develop local talents, mostly coming from the academe, that could possibly aid in the implementation of its product development programs in particular, and in the long run, the development of Antique’s crafts manufacturing sector.


APFTI integrates gender and development to its programs and services

Members of APFTI’s board, management and staff attended a three-day standard course on Gender Sensitivity at Legenda Hotel on February 7-10, 2007. With Fair Trade Principles calling for gender equity in the conduct of operations of APFTI’s partner producers, the need to deepen the organization’s understanding on the framework of gender and development became an apparent imperative. The workshop explored ways on how to integrate the concepts of Gender and Development to APFTI’s banner programs and services and on how to include its call (of providing women and men with equal treatment and opportunities) to APFTI’s orientation, training programs and public campaigns.

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Fair Ware Designer’s Training motivates APFTI’s designers

UP Professor Leonardo Rosete gave APFTI’s pool of designers, the 10-29 Designs for Fair Trade, a one-day workshop on how they could further integrate the principles of Fair Trade to their design development projects. The session, held on February 20, 2007, discussed that product development under the Fair Trade framework, should take into consideration sustainable use of materials and should carefully deliberate on the skills and competencies of local artisans. The session also identified issues related to Fair Trade, that designers would most likely encounter during the process. The need to develop a work protocol, that is capability-focused, gender sensitive and culturally responsive, in engaging with partner producers, emerged during the discussions.

APFTI showcases P.E.A.C.E project in Agusan del Sur at PACAP exhibit

Philippine Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) gathered its partner institutions at a forum and an exhibit that celebrated its 20th year as a small grant facility in the Philippines. Held at the Waterfront Hotel in Davao City last Feburay 20-24, 2007, APFTI had the chance to present the goals, as well as the initial outputs of the Promotions and Enhancement of the Arts, Crafts and Environment (PEACE) in Agusan del Sur Project. PACAP has chosen to fund the initiative that was crafted by APFTI and Tao Foundation, after it has been selected at the Panibagong Paraan Project Grant Competition sponsored by the World Bank.

Through the exhibit, APFTI had the chance to showcase and to market the newly developed products of 7 artisan groups, which are mostly Manobo, Higaonon and Banwaon peoples. The PEACE project attempts to give marginalized groups in Agusan del Sur sustainable sources of livelihood through the development of their indigenous crafts and by opening new market avenues for their products.

Soccsksargen producers undergo packaging and labeling design development

Thirteen food producers from Region 12 (Soccsksargen) improved their product labels through the food packaging and labeling design component of APFTI’s Integrated Enterprise Development Program (IEDP). APFTI designer Noel Pelagio enhanced the labels of food products that range from value-added tuna products, processed meat and chicken, rice and corn coffee, wine, virgin coconut oil, jams and jellies, muscovado sugar, taro and banana chips. The labels of the following were enriched: Kimkyt’s Food, Malapatan RIC Cooperative, Sunrays Foods, KM foods, Cresing Food products, CGL Agri Business, Shalom Coconut Products, Grasel Food, Kablon Farm, South Valley Foods, Sultan Kudarat Framers and Millers, Trice Food Products, and Vmotril’s Food Products.


APFTI conducts proposal write-shop for different sectors in Caraga

Government and civil society representatives from Caraga participated in a 3-day proposal- writing workshop organized by APFTI last February 26-28, 2007, at Tagbilaran City in Bohol. Through the activity, APFTI was able to generate project concepts with partner-institutions and organizations that rightfully address the needs of small producers from the region. The activity also served as a venue wherein the proposal-writing module being developed by APFTI was functionally tested. The module could facilitate the development of relevant project concepts that local and international development institutions could possibly fund and the specialization of APFTI on SME-related matters could be tapped and utilized. The workshop tackled budding concepts such as that of: developing a packaging center, a common producer display shop, pre and post harvest facility for vegetable production, a seaweed drying facility, and value added abaca-based products.


Manobo and Higaonon peoples re-appraise their crafts’ price

A seminar on product costing and pricing was given to groups involved in the Promotions and Enhancement of the Arts, Crafts, and the Environment (PEACE) in Agusan del Sur. With indigenous peoples coming from the Manobo and Higaonon lineage as the project’s main beneficiaries, APFTI and Tao Foundation saw the need to re-evaluate the group’s product pricing considerations and instill to them the importance of giving a suitable monetary value to their work. These groups, most of the time, fall prey to abusive crafts middlemen who set thoughtlessly low prices for products made by indigenous groups. Most traders also insensitively alter cultural designs and ask indigenous peoples to imitate market-demanded crafts from Africa or India, deliberately alienating them from the final goods.


Iligan and Bukidnon producers go through product development

APFTI improved the packaging and labeling design of 9 food producers in Iligan and Bukidnon last March. These enterprises were: Faj House of Cakes, Iligan Vegetarian, Ruban’s Food Craft, Ardaiel’s Food, El Pancho Meat Products, Silver Lights Bakery, Unlad Kabayan Migrant Worker’s Association, Loulen’s Bakeshoppe, Tita Viz’s Finest Pie’s and Pastries, and NM Foods. With improved product packages and labels, APFTI aspires that small producers can expand their markets by establishing their own brand identities.

In the same way, to update the designs of crafts producers in tempo with current design trends, 8 crafts producers underwent product design development. They were: Morson’s Home Industries, Community Development Worker’s Association, Unlad Kabayan Migrant Services Foundation, BS Crafts, Cares Enterprises, Visayan Home of Furnish, RM Rattan Furniture, and finally, Matungao Women Mat Weavers.


Soccsksargen producers prepare new designs for Yamang Mindanao

Two APFTI designers were sent to Soccsksargen last March to do on-site product development for 7 crafts producers in the region. The new product prototypes were later presented at the 2nd Yamang Mindanao Island Trade Fair. The following enterprises have updated their designs: Sumariva Crafts Philippines, Inc., Banga Cornhusks Association, Libun Halung Matul, Sarangani Handicraft Industries, Royal Bamboo Crafts, T’boli Trade and Crafts, and General Santos Gardener’s Cooperative.


Soccsksargen food producers improve product quality

APFTI addressed a number of production concerns of 4 food producers specializing in dried fruits, juices and muscovado sugar production in Soccsksargen by deploying a food expert in the region last April. The following producers, prior to the engagement, brought up to APFTI various points for improvement to their processes and product quality: Vmotril, South Valley Foods, Sultan Kudarat Millers Association and Grasel Food Products

Ms. Elena Fernandez advised the enterprises about food product issues like: shelf life, GMP, ingredients, nutritional value, and sensory characteristics. Vmotril Food Products in Tupi, South Cotabato worked for the removal of latex paste in their banana chips and the establishment of methods that could maintain size and shape consistency. South Valley Foods in Banga has asked for possible variations to their durian pastilles and preservation techniques for rambutan. Sultan Kudarat Farmers and Millers Cooperative consulted Fernandez about measures that could advance their manufacturing process to the stage, wherein they could come up with a muscovado worthy of a BFAD certification. Lastly, Grasel, also in Tupi, explored with Fernandez the procedure for coming up with new product variations and improving the product’s shell-life.

APFTI explores solidarity economy through the Bayanihan network

APFTI , in partnership with the Asia Fair Trade Forum, hosted a “learning journey” meeting with the proponents of the Bayanihan Banking Window (BBW) last March 28, 2007. BBW is an alternative investment and financing scheme that links socially responsible investors with socially responsible entrepreneurs through a consolidation of a mutual fund.

A background on the solidarity economy was presented during the session. APFTI, seeing much parallelism of the initiative to the goals of Fair Trade in bringing about socio-economic and environmental responsibility to trade, shared and signified its commitment in strengthening the network.


APFTI polishes Aklan food producers’ manufacturing practices

A two-day seminar on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Standard Sanitation Operating Procedure (SSOP) was provided to 25 food producers in Aklan on March 28-30, 2007 at the Bread and Butter Hall at Kalibo. The seminar provided inputs in preparing manufacturing guidelines that reinforce the production of safe, healthy and quality food products


Seminar introduces alternative and low-cost packaging to Bicol producers

Packaging expert Froilan Dy introduced to 18 food producers based in Bicol new and alternative packaging techniques that they can utilize in marketing their products. The seminar was held on March 27-28, 2007 at Legazpi, Albay. A demo was conducted to familiarize the producers on a number of possibilities that they can explore in packaging and labeling their products. The facilitator also provided information on the sources and the cost of different packaging materials. Through this activity, APFTI was able to establish producers’ appreciation to effective packaging and labels and its contribution in making an impression to consumers.