INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: U.S-Philippine Partnerships in Cavite Province, Home Of

Published: Wed 12 Mar 2008 10:00 AM
VZCZCXRO2485
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #0623 0721000
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 121000Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0099
INFO RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS MANILA 000623
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/EP, EEB/IFD/OMA
STATE PASS USAID FOR AA/ANE, AA/EGAT, DAA/ANE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL BTIO BEXP ECON PGOV RP
SUBJECT: U.S-PHILIPPINE PARTNERSHIPS IN CAVITE PROVINCE, HOME OF
PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
1. SUMMARY: The Deputy Chief of Mission visited the southern Luzon
province of Cavite to showcase U.S. business, security and
healthcare partnerships. He visited the processing plant of the
famous "tender juicy" Purefoods hotdogs, a joint venture with U.S
Hormel company, and a workplace family clinic developed with a
USAID-funded program. DCM also spoke with a Cavite congressman
about regional economic progress, visited the Philippine Navy
Special Operations Group, and toured the birthplace of Philippine
independence. In a radio interview on a leading nationwide station,
DCM described wide-ranging U.S-Philippine partnerships in Cavite and
across the Philippines. END SUMMARY.
2. Joined by a delegation from Iowa's agriculture sector, the DCM
toured the Purefoods-Hormel hot dog and meat processing plant
outside of General Trias City in Cavite Province, one of the largest
and newest in Asia. The three-year old plant, which is a joint
venture of Philippine company San Miguel Pure Foods and the
American-based Hormel Foods International, produces over 150 metric
tons per day of hotdogs as well as ham, bacon, and other meat
products. Filippinos are avid hot dog consumers, and the plant
represents a thriving U.S-Philippine business partnership.
3. In keeping with the trip's business theme, the DCM met with
Cavite Congressman Joseph Emilio Abaya to discuss economic
development in the province. The congressman noted that Cavite is
one of the fastest growing provinces in the Philippines, ranking in
the top five areas in terms of human development. He added that the
market has the capacity to support U.S. companies, and he is pleased
there are several U.S. firms already operating in Cavite Province.
4. To observe U.S-Philippine military cooperation first hand, the
DCM visited the Philippine Naval Special Operations Group at Sangley
Point Naval Base, just outside Cavite City. This elite group
includes teams similar to U.S. Navy SEALS and explosive ordinance
disposal units. The U.S. military conducts year-round training with
the unit to increase the Philippine Navy's ability to patrol their
country's extensive coastline and to combat terrorist organizations,
both domestic and transnational, that threaten the lives and
livelihoods of Filippinos and Americans.
5. In Cavite's Rosario City, the DCM visited a Japanese company
whose predominantly female employees have greatly benefited from a
USAID-supported private sector mobilization for family health
project. This project works with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce
and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment to develop
workplace family health programs aimed at increasing access to
quality, affordable health services for the employees and their
families.
6. The day's events culminated with a radio interview at a
far-reaching Manila station, during which the DCM emphasized the
close economic ties between the U.S. and the Philippines, in Cavite
Province and throughout the country. The trip provided an
opportunity to develop relationships with key individuals in
Manila's neighboring province and demonstrate U.S. interest in wider
ranging business, security, and healthcare ties.
KENNEY
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