PMEWMB and Nestle Philippines Inc. Launch $63 Million Agribusiness Project to Bring Socio-Economic Relief to the Philippines and Tsunami-Devastated Areas

Bringing Long-Term Relief to a Suffering Region

(HAYWARD, CA) ---- In a region of the world that is desperate for good news—good news is on the way. The Pentecostal Methodist Evangelical World Missions Board (PMEWMB) has joined forces with Nestle Philippines, Inc. to launch a historic $63 million project to dramatically improve the socio-economic status of the people of the Philippines and areas devastated by the recent Tsunami.

“What we are talking about here is real long term help for a region that is in desperate need for economic assistance,” declares Bishop Willie Anderson, Chairman of PMEWMB. “This includes the Philippines and areas hit hard by the Tsunami.”

Together, Nestle, a Fortune 500 company, and PMEWMB have developed a strategic plan that is centered on resurrecting the coffee industry in the Philippines. PMEWMB, which oversees over 4,000 acres of land and 2,000 farmers in the Philippines, has developed a cooperative coffee and cash crop program with Nestle. This project includes coffee harvesting and the producing of 30,000 to 55,000 metric tons of coffee over the next eight years. The projected result is that $25 million will be raised in eight years.

“Nestle Philippines Inc. is committed to support coffee plantation development in the Philippines,” says Glicerio joel lumagbas, Head Agricultural Services Department Assistant Vice-President Nestle Philippines, Inc. “We welcome planned implementation of a livelihood program based on coffee.”

“Our program is about rural economic reconstruction,” says Anderson. “In addition to the coffee, there will be cash crop development which includes corn, peanuts, squash and other vegetables that will bring in millions to farmers along with medical and other resources.”

The project is centered in the Philippines but the spillover effect will dramatically help some of the areas hit by the Tsunami. “At a bare minimum this is going to improve the living conditions of at least 100,000 people in that area,” says Anderson. “This project will provide schools, jobs, and churches in a region that is now impoverished.”

The mandate for more agri-business opportunities for the Philippines was a top priority for Philippine President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “Livelihood for 10 million Filipinos must be addressed,” declared Arroyo in her State of the Nation Address. “A thriving agri-business must be pushed in the rural area.” President Arroyo has expressed support for the Nestle/PMEWMB project.

Leaders within the Philippines view the Nestle/PMEWMB project as a trendsetting model. “This project will create 100,000 jobs and be a transformational example that people will follow for years to come,” says Nelson Burnaflor, President and CEO of Quedancor Bank in Quecon City, Philippines.

An exciting part of this project, according to Anderson, is that people and organizations can contribute financially to support this effort that will help so many people.

“PMEWMB has the privilege of raising support for the project,” says Anderson. “It is a fact that for each dollar that is donated to the Nestle project, a minimum of thirty dollars of relief will go to the region. Thus, $100,000 in donations would produce $3,000,000 of relief. All projections are based on Nestle’s numbers. Our goal is to raise one million dollars.”

As Chairman of the PMEWMB, Anderson is calling on the 2000 churches associated with the denomination to participate in a worldwide day of prayer that will culminate in a day of giving toward the Nestle/PMEWMB project. New Bethel Community Church in Hayward, California, of which Anderson himself pastors, will receive a special offering for the project in line with its January 30 “Hero’s Sunday” service. He also hopes that others will get excited and give to the project.

“There’s simply no better way to bring permanent help to the people of a hurting region,” he says. “We hope people will contact us today and give to this incredibly important project that will help so many people.”

To contribute to or learn more about the Nestle/PMEWMB project please go to www.PMEWMB.com. Those who would like to contribute to the project through the “Hero’s Sunday” service can call New Bethel Community Church at 510-881-5205. The address for the church is 2889 Kelly St. in Hayward, California. To set up an interview with Bishop Willie Anderson contact Susan Zahn at SusanZahn@wdcmedia.com or 602-296-4626.

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