MS. GERALDINE LABRADORES
Managing Director, Southern Partners and Fair Trade Center, Inc.
Our Farmer-Partners,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good Afternoon!
I am deeply honored to be with you here today for this turnover ceremony. I am also very grateful for the warm welcome you have extended to me and to my colleague.
The Government of Japan has extended various agricultural assistances to the Philippines, which we believe has greatly contributed to the enhancement of the agricultural production in the country. We are pleased to have an opportunity this time to support the Filipino farmers who are engaging in the Mango industry that occupies a very important place in the economy of Cebu Province, together with tourism, shipping and various manufacturing industries. The Philippines is well-known for its mango production and the dry mango is also very popular among Japanese people.
It has come to our attention that despite the huge scale of this industry being one of the major sources of the Philippines' foreign exchange reserves, small farmers have not fully benefited from the industry because of their lack of access to fair market prices and facilities for value addition.
In this regard, I commend the efforts of the Southern Partners and Fair Trade Center, Inc. for providing an alternative market for small mango producers in the Province, adhering to the standards of fair trade. It is with our great pleasure that the Government and people of Japan are able to assist the strenuous efforts of all the stakeholders here to sustain and uplift the income of mango farmers by providing funds for the upgrading of this fruit processing facility.
I sincerely hope that, through this project, farmers will be able to earn better and improve their livelihood prospects, which also leads to a greater economic development in this area.
I would also like to appreciate the management and staff of the Southern Partners and Fair Trade Center, Inc. who have painstakingly worked for the successful completion of this project. Your cooperation has been the critical factor in the success of this project. I count on your collective and steadfast support to maximize the utilization and proper maintenance of this facility.
In closing, let me express my sincere hope that this project will be another testimony and milestone of the friendship between the peoples of the Philippines and Japan, which further fosters a strategic partnership between our two countries towards the future.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines