SHAPII opens RP's 2nd Fair Trade Shop

Salay Handmade Paper Industries, Inc. (SHAPII) has opened the Philippines second Fair Trade Shop at the De Leon Arcade in Cagayan de Oro City.

A joint initiative of Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade Inc. (AFTI) and SHAPII, The Fair Trade Shop will play an active role in developing socially and environmentally conscious shopping habits in Filipino consumers in Northern Mindanao.

"The Fair Trade Shop in Cagayan de Oro is the second of at least seven shops to open nationwide by early next year," said Gabriel Ma. Lopez, chairperson of the AFTI. The first shop opened in Cebu two months ago.

"By opening The Fair Trade Shop, we are sending a message to all consumers that they can make a difference," Lopez said. "Fair Trade allows consumers to vote with their pesos each time they make a purchase. This is a powerful tool consumers have at their disposal to make a direct and meaningful impact- simply by making conscious, responsible choices about what they buy and how they spend."

Mrs. Loreta Capistrano-Rafisura, SHAPII president and CEO, said 32 producers observing internationally-recognized Fair Trade principles will supply The Fair Trade Shop with bakery items, roasted mountain coffee, jams, tablea, fashion accessories, home décor, paper and stationery and wellness products.

"More than 4,000 urban and rural poor households will share in the sales generated by these producers, 23 of whom are from Northern Mindanao (Region 10)," Mrs. Rafisura said.

Neil Rafisura, SHAPII general manager, said: "We are thrilled to introduce a new store concept to the public through the launching of the second Fair Trade Shop in the Philippines, hoping this will educate and change the buying habits of Filipinos towards social and ethical consumerism."

Lopez said fair trade is a global movement with estimated sales of US$5-billion in 2008. It directly addresses poverty through innovative and high quality Philippine food and handicraft products.

"Fair Trade provides opportunities for disadvantaged Filipino producers, provides fair and equitable working conditions, and helps address climate change while generating profits," Lopez said.

Globally, there are more than 4,000 specialized Fair Trade Stores known as "Worldshops" and over 100,000 points of sale that distribute Fair Trade products. These shops are generally found in highly developed countries of the West. Lopez said the move to open Fair Trade Shops in the Philippines would also develop social and environmentally conscious shopping habits in Filipino consumers.

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