CFIF WINS MODEL CLUSTER AND ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

It’s a double treat for the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF) this year as it gets recognition from two separate organizations for programs it has implemented over the years.

The first award is for the Cebu furniture industry cluster as the “Model Provincial Cluster” besting other industries nationwide in this category. The award was given by the Export Development Council thru the National Cluster Management Team and was presented last October 24, 2007 at Malacanang Palace with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo giving the keynote address.

Industry clustering is one of the strategies under the Philippine Export Development Plan 2005-2007 aimed to benefit business in the regions and provinces of the country not only in terms of increasing productivity, but also in bringing down shared manufacturing costs, encouraging novel partnerships, and stimulating opportunities for innovative entrepreneurship.

The other recognition, PCCI-Pearl2 Environment Award (Excellence in Ecology & Economy), was given by CIDA Pearl2 to CFIF for its successful implementation and institutionalization of an Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Program to address the issues concerning the industry’s aspects and impacts to the environment. The award was presented during the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Conference at the Manila Hotel also last October 24, 2007.

On hand to receive both awards were Eric Vincent Casas, CFIF President, Charles Streegan, Vice President for External Affairs and Ruby Salutan, CFIF Executive Director.

CFIF is the primary professional support organization of the Philippine furniture sector. It is comprised of 164 of the most successful furniture manufacturing and exporting companies and organizes the highly acclaimed annual Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition Show or Cebu X.