"Go Green Philippines" initiative gets support from foreign markets

The Cebu Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters Foundation Inc. (Cebu FAME) "Go Green Philippines" program has gained support from big international clients in Europe and United States.

Cebu FAME president Janet Chua said that famous brand Marks & Spencer has committed to provide support for the organization's "Go Green Philippines" trademark program, by donating four-hectare property dedicated for tree planting.

 Other big clients are based in England and United States.

"Our program has gained good feedback from big clients abroad," Chua said.

Cebu FAME has since been urging their foreign buyers to participate in the Go Green Philippines program following its implementation of the environmental initiative.

The group's members started issuing "Green" certificates to their buyers few months back, a project that aims to revitalize the Philippine's ecosystem and sustain the country's fashion accessories industry at the same time.

For a minimum purchase, a buyer gets a Green certificate, which states that 100 trees in a plantation in the Philippines are being planted in the company's name.

Buyers of the acclaimed brands in fashion accessory industry in the world can use the Go Green trademark in their marketing collaterals to prove that they are environment-friendly.

Like what Marks & Spencer had done, buyers can also donate and invest on a one-hectare tree plantation worth $2, 500 for 2, 500 trees, and get naming rights as well as the right to use the Go Green Philippines trademark.

Cebu FAME initiated Go Green, which was formally launched in October last year, to solve the industry's problem on shortage of raw materials, especially the Pangantuan (white wood) trees.

Pangantuan is a preferred source of white wood by the industry because it can be dyed and shaped in flawless precision'

Aside from ensuring the supply of Pangantuan, the program also aims to ensure sustainable supply of Ipil (brownish wood) and Sibucao (red wood), Buri propagation and bamboo planting.

The other areas covered by the project are coastal environmental program, which aims to protect coral reefs and establish seashell sanctuaries; and livelihood projects, which helps rural communities through livelihood program and skills training and education that can also support the fashion jewelry industry.

One of Go Green beneficiaries is the Himasaka, an organization of farmers in Catmon, Cebu. The Provincial government has committed 10-hectares of land for tree planting in Catmon. Members of the cooperative have planted some 25, 000 Pangantuan trees, which can be harvested after five years.

Cebu FAME is targeting to replenish 100 hectares of land in the province with Pangantuan, Ipil and Sibucao trees, among others.

Currently, the entire Cebu province has 140, 000 hectares of public lands, of which only five-percent is covered with vegetation

According to Chua, there are a lot of interested buyers that have expressed interest to support the program. Cebu fashion accessory exporters have gained prestige in the worldwide market, most of them are supplying products for well-known brands like Liz Claiborne, Kenneth Cole, Ann Klein, among others.