The Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade, Inc (APFTI) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation aspiring for sustainable development and poverty alleviation.  Since 1994 we have been working to make Fair Trade happen in the Philippines.

APFTI

Are you MaDe for Fair Trade?

 

1 2 3 4

.

image

.

.

image

.

.

image

.

.

image

.

<< >> Play > Stop

Hot off the Press!

Download APFTI's Market i Digest featuring latest market trends.

IFAT LogoAPFTI doesn't just talk the talk, we walk it too.  We're certified as a Fair Trade Organization with the World Fair Trade Organization, the Asian Fair Trade Forum and the Philippine Fair Trade Forum.

Producer Photos

img_0069.jpg

MaDe for Fair Trade Factsheet

Learn about our latest project by downloading the MaDe for Fair Trade Factsheet.
APFTI's Development Perspective

There's an old saying that goes "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a life time."

Teach a man to fishAt APFTI, we feel that teaching people to catch fish is the better strategy for poverty alleviation.  However, today's world has changed since this old adage was first uttered - today's world is far more complicated. 

In order to make a real impact on poverty alleviation, we must not only teach our fellow-countryfolk how to catch fish, we must also think of ways to care for our rivers, lakes and oceans.  We should seek more means to enable our waters to nurture more fish for the sake of those we hope to teach how to fish.

-- Support Fair Trade, an approach that's pro-people, pro-planet and pro-poor.

 
Fair Trade Guide wins International Award

Congratulations to APFTI's Arnel Astillero for winning UK-based Leap Local's International Competition for "Best Local Guide" for his People-to-People tour in Luzon, Philippines.  Read the announcement here and book your slot in the tour here.

 
BIG BANG for World Fair Trade Day!!

09 May 09 - a day of global drumming for Fair Trade!Big Bang for Fair Trade!

The sound of drums could be heard echoing down the halls of Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City - attracting shoppers to the "4 Inspirations" fair trade fair.  There were performances, product demonstrations and coloring-in contest to keep supporters and consumers entertained.

Well done and thank you to all who were involved - Foundation of Sustainable Societies, Philippine Fair Trade Forum, partner producers, advocates and producers.  Special thanks to bands Makiling, Krakatoom, Lakbay Lahi, Talahib, Syalam and Kadangyan for giving us a Big Bang.

Read more about the drumming for Fair Trade and view pictures of the drumming events.

 
This Month's Featured Producer

Creating Livelihoods by turning trash into Treasure 

Gameng ya Kataguan Gameng ya Kataguan literally translates to "Treasure and Livelihood".  However, Benguet-based owner Anita G. Pahigon hasn't found treasure in the conventional sense. 

Instead she rescues old newspapers from being dumped in landfill, and turns them into stylish treasure in the form of fashion and household accessories.

The idea for Gameng ya Kataguan was conceived when Anita saw a hairclip made from newspaper.  Using her weaving skills, she experimented with making hats and bags. 

Now, in 2009, the business has grown to provide full-time employment for five neighbouring families.  Anita currently exports her products to Australia and the Netherlands, and participates in local trade fairs.

Read more about Gameng ya Kataguan
 

Are you MaDe for Fair Trade?

Fair trade is a way of life, it's a solution to poverty, it's an answer to climate change, it enables you to live a healthy and more socially responsible life. 

Are you MaDe for Fair Trade? 

Be a Fair Trade Traveller!

Your travels can make a difference - be a Fair Trade Traveller

Fair Trade Travel

 

 

 

 

See our Guidelines on How to be a Fair Trade Traveller.

Find out Where to Buy Fair Trade on your travels.

“Fair Trade is the best thing that happened to us. We started out as a hodgepodge group of housewives, out-of-school youths and elderly rural folk turning cogon grass into paper with our hands. Today we have 150 regular workers and about 200 more working in their homes."
Loreta Rafisura, President, Salay Handmade Paper Industries, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

Sponsored by

APFTI is jointly sponsored by ICCO and Cordaid.

ICCO   Cordaid logo

Buy from FFTV

Support APFTI's trading arm.

FFTV    Philippine Fair Trade Forum