U.S-PHILIPPINE PARTNERSHIPS IN CAVITE PROVINCE, HOME OF

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