Like a true to form professional, the Cebu Furniture Industry (CFIF) now takes pride in its newly-developed Membership Code of Ethics, which is designed to curb plagiarism especially in terms of design and strengthen the relationships of matched exporters with respective buyers and subcontractors. The Code of Ethics is the first in Cebu's industries and the proponents wish that other industries will follow suit. Last June 1, 1999 the Membership Code for the furniture industry who are members of CFIF takes effect.

           For the past 25 years and with over a hundred and twenty (120) members, the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Incorporated (CFIF) has consistently attempted to develop the organization towards professionalism with the vision of making Cebu as Asia's furniture center. CFIF is a non-profit organization of furniture manufacturers, exporters and subcontractors in the province. It organizes projects focusing on productivity improvement and market development with a mission to provide the members with services on marketing and promotion, policy advocacy, technical services and training, membership development and promotion of ethical practices. As a Foundation, CFIF sets guiding values in terms of cooperation, professionalism and integrity.

           The Membership Code incorporates a total of four (4) sections on the following: Acceptance of Roles, Commitment to the CFIF Goals and other Responsibilities, Promotion and Obligation of the Code and Positive Discipline Procedures. Primarily, the Code seeks to practice fair competition among peers, respect and guard each other's original ideas, enrich database and insure full satisfaction of customers of furniture needs. The Code takes the assumption that the CFIF members are responsible corporate citizens, business leaders and officers or members of the foundation.

          The Membership Code primarily commits also to attaining CFIF vision and mission, maintain good public image, professionalism, avoid conflict of interest and uphold fair competition. Likewise, it commits to increase competencies in the furniture industry, promote and protect intellectual property rights, preserve integrity of official decisions and agreements and improve managerial competencies.

           When good members withstand the test of the Code, they will be rewarded with a Certificate of Good Standing (CGS). This means that within the year, the awarded member has no record of violation of the stipulated standards, has attended at least 80% of General Membership and Special meetings, participated at least 60% of all official activities of CFIF and paid all dues officially required in the foundation.

           Edwin Rivera, Chair of the CFIF Ethics Committee and nineteen (19) others who have painstakingly worked on the Code for the past 2 years, has but relief and a sigh of content that finally, the waiting is over.

           The Cebu Furniture industry takes pride with the fact that in 1997, it comprised 60% of Philippine sales. While the country is 6th globally, Cebu remains to occupy the 3rd, 4th, 2nd, 2nd and 3rd slots since 1994 up to 1998. In terms of sales for Philippine furniture exports, Cebu has generated a one percent growth as of January, 1998.

          Although China continues to take the lead in the industry, with Canada playing second lead, based on statistics, the Philippines has a 13% growth and buyers do come to Cebu for innovative designs. This is according to Lita Quisumbing, CFIF Board member. The US continues to play as the Philippines' biggest market for furniture.

          The CFIF members in Cebu have continued to sponsor the Philippine International Furniture Show (PIFS) annually for market linkage and design development. The members also join international fairs such as those in Cologne, Toronto and Highpoint. Some of these activities have been made possible with the projects implemented by the Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu office, with funds from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

          While other countries boast of its car, communications or oil industries that have evolved from as early as the 1930's, Cebu's efforts at achieving the vision of the industries continue to bring hope for the better. Competition with the rest of Asia bring forth future challenges in the midst of a globalized economy. But Cebu's furniture industry, particularly the members of the CFIF takes that challenge up front. The Foundation believes that it has started with its Membership Code taking effect this year. Good enough for a breakthrough after 25 years…