NOMINATION FOR CORPORATE EXCELLENCE AWARD: DOLE

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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