Guimaras, Philippines–—Demonstrating its strong support for an efficient supply chain and greater market access linking producers with buyers, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is backing the Guimaras Manggahan Festival, taking place from May 16 to 26. Strengthening this commitment, Airspeed, a leading end-to-end logistics service provider, has formally pledged to enhance market access for Guimara mangoes by directly sourcing them from Guimaras Wonders Farm.
This partnership signifies a crucial step in linking local agricultural producers with wider consumer markets through efficient logistics solutions. It is part of the broader initiative to promote Guimaras mangoes, recognized as the first and currently only Philippine product with a Geographical Indication (GI) approved by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.
“The Manggahan Festival is a vital platform to showcase the exceptional quality of Guimaras mangoes and their unique GI status. By working with partners like Airspeed, we are turning this celebration into a launchpad for market expansion and supply chain innovation,” DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque said.
“In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda, the Department is committed to empowering local producers, expanding market access, and strengthening logistics to elevate the competitiveness of our agricultural products. This initiative reflects our broader goal of building a more inclusive and resilient economy driven by regional development,” trade chief added.
Building on a prior commitment made with the DTI Supply Chain and Logistics Group, Airspeed successfully conducted a test purchase on April 22 to assess the quality and handling of Guimaras mangoes across various transport modes. During the recent DTI-led visit to Guimaras, Airspeed Representatives met with Ms. Rose Griesser of Guimaras Wonders Farm to finalize logistics arrangements for a sustainable and scalable partnership.
The agreement, led by Airspeed International’s President and CEO Mariz Regis, includes strategic initiatives to support Guimaras’ products. Airspeed has mounted a once-weekly roll-on-roll-off fleet service from Guimaras to key destinations across the Philippines. This includes direct weekly purchases of 500 kg to 1 ton of mangoes during the festival, retail distribution in selected SM Stores, exploration of export linkages, market development assistance, and logistics support for Guimaras Wonders Farm’s Metro Manila clients.
“Airspeed is committed to bringing premium Guimaras mangoes to broader markets, ensuring these exceptional products reach more consumers while supporting local agriculture. We are committed to making it happen for our farmers and entrepreneurs in building their businesses and communities,” said Mariz Regis, President and CEO of Airspeed International.
Echoing this commitments, Ms. Rosario Griesser, owner of Guimaras Wonders Farm, shared, “I’m truly excited about this partnership with DTI and Airspeed—it’s a big boost for Guimaras Wonders Farm and our local mango growers. We’re very thankful to Airspeed for providing the logistics support that helps us bring our mangoes to more customers safely, efficiently, and in excellent condition.”
This collaboration affirms DTI’s commitment to significantly expand the reach of Guimaras mangoes, making them more accessible to consumers and while opening new opportunities for local growers. ♦
