VZCZCXYZ0020
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHML #1429/01 1650830
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 130830Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1010

UNCLAS MANILA 001429 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/EP 
STATE FOR EEB/EPPD NSMITH-NISSLEY 
STATE PASS EXIM, OPIC AND USTR 
TREASURY FOR OASIA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BEXP EINV ELAB ETRD KSEP SENV RP
SUBJECT:  NOMINATION FOR CORPORATE EXCELLENCE AWARD: DOLE 
PHILIPPINES 
 
REF:  STATE 00047222 
 
NOMINATION 
---------- 
 
¶1. Embassy Manila is pleased to nominate Dole Philippines, a 
subsidiary of Dole Food Company, the world's largest producer and 
marketer of fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers. Dole's plantations 
in North and South Cotabato, Davao City, and the provinces of 
Bukidnon, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, and Sarangani cover 
about 20,000 hectares; independent farms grow produce for Dole on 
another 17,500 hectares. 
 
Good Works in Impoverished and Conflict Areas 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. All of Dole's Philippine operations are in Mindanao, the 
country's poorest region, where unemployment and terrorism are most 
prevalent.  The economic development Dole adds to the area is a 
welcome addition to foster prosperity and peace.  Its education and 
infrastructure programs and adherence to high ethical standards 
contribute greatly to remedying the problems of this region, which 
is crucial to USG anti-terrorism efforts. 
 
Good Corporate Citizenship 
-------------------------- 
 
¶3. Dole Philippines is strongly committed to good corporate 
citizenship through providing extensive environmental protection and 
sustainability initiatives, and improving Filipinos' quality of life 
through education, training, and health programs. The company works 
closely with communities, nongovernmental organizations, employees, 
and other stakeholders to determine the most needed programs. 
 
Exemplary Employment Practices 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4. The company routinely exceeds the legally required levels for 
both wages and benefits for its 38,000 direct hire employees and 
close to 6,500 contract farmers. Dole has obtained SA8000 
certification, an international standard for improving worker's 
conditions.  Dole supports the health of its employees in many ways, 
including creative approaches such as holding music and dance 
competitions.  It has constructed a 1,000-seat gymnasium that has 
two fitness gyms. In 2005, Philippine President Gloria 
Macapagal-Arroyo designated the company an "Outstanding Employer", a 
prestigious and competitive award.  Dole Philippines has built the 
only tertiary hospital in South Cotabato for use by its employees 
and the community at large. Dole Philippines' independent farmers 
are part of the company's "Growership" program, which provides 
access to low-cost financing, markets, tested technology, training, 
and also assists in providing employment to family members and 
neighbors of farmers. 
 
Provision for a Safe and Healthy Workplace 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶5. Dole trains its workers to monitor the safe use of agricultural 
chemicals and to correct problems on site. Workers using crop 
protection chemicals undergo periodic medical tests to monitor 
exposure to these products. Dole's quality improvement teams work to 
promote employee development. Dole built a two-story building 
equipped with all the facilities necessary for training seminars. 
 
Responsible Environmental Stewardship and Practices 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶6. Dole Philippines meets the high international environmental 
specifications outlined by the International Organization for 
Standardization (ISO) and is designated a ISO-14001 company because 
it meets all regulations regarding environmental management systems 
(i.e. labeling, performance evaluation, life cycle analysis, 
communication and auditing as it relates to air, water and land 
impacts). Dole Philippines also abides by the Food and Agricultural 
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) "Good Agricultural 
Practices" standard, which includes integrated crop management, pest 
management, organic farming, waste management, technical assistance, 
worker's training, and regular audits. 
¶7. Dole has planted more than 1.5 million trees in Mindanao through 
various programs in the last six years. The World Bank also 
recognized Dole's "Chairs for Trees Program" as one of the most 
innovative projects in the Philippines. Under the program, the 
company's wooden pallets are turned over to a local cooperative 
which converts them into furniture, which is then delivered to 
public schools and churches. Beneficiaries plant a tree for every 10 
pesos (25 cents) worth of assistance. 
 
¶8. The Maragusan Integrated Natural Resource Conservation and 
PHILIPPINES 
 
Development Project focuses on developing capabilities of partner 
communities for management and conservation of resources in 
watershed and forest areas. The project has established a total of 
13 tree nurseries, trained 85 forest guard volunteers, and conducted 
16 tree-planting events. 
 
Contribution to Economic Growth 
------------------------------- 
 
¶9. Dole Philippines strives to support economic growth through 
livelihood programs and income augmentation activities including the 
"Small Farms and Marketing Program" and the "Maragusan Valley Area 
Resource Development Program."  These programs have assisted 900 
upland farming households to develop sustainable farming technology. 
The company also trains farmers on natural farming technology and 
livestock management, which supports micro and small enterprises in 
35 different communities and benefits 1,000 rural households. 
 
Contribution to Local Science and Technology 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶10. In 2007, Dole formed an environmental committee to work on the 
best technological strategies to reduce carbon dioxide, nitrous 
oxide, methane, and other harmful gasses.  The company also invests 
in research and development to support its extensive crop management 
program. 
 
¶11. Dole provides ten scholarships per year to Mindanao University 
in agriculture and engineering, one four-year undergraduate 
scholarship in plant pathology, and five agricultural grants. Dole 
supports 57 "adopted" public schools in Mindanao through 
construction, teacher training, and donation of laboratory 
equipment, textbooks, school desks, and media equipment. In 2005, 
the company built the first "Hub Library" in Mindanao and donated 
53,327 books. 
 
Compliance with U.S., International and Local Laws 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶12. Dole maintains a strict Code of Conduct, which includes a 
prohibition against violating any Philippine or U.S. law. Employees 
must demonstrate their understanding of the Code of Conduct through 
an annual questionnaire and attest to compliance with the Code. 
Employees can anonymously report any violations through a website or 
toll-free number. Dole also trains employees on U.S. laws that apply 
overseas, such as the Patriot Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices 
Act.  In addition, the company monitors all payment procedures to 
ensure compliance with these laws. 
 
KENNEY