lter Trade (short for Alternative Trading) was created to establish, develop and sustain an alternative trading system, with the aim of improving the socio-economic condition of Negros marginalized sugar workers and farmers for their empowerment and self-reliance.

Crisis in Negros - mid 1980s

     Negros, known as the sugar bowl of the Philippines, supplied 80% of the country's total sugar production exported to the world market. Majority of its 3.2 million population depended in the sugar industry for their means of living. In 1984, sugar prices in the world market plummeted causing the downfall and collapse of the sugar industry in 1986. With the drought in 1983 and the strike of two destructive typhoons in 1984, Negros situation worsen. Thousands of Negrense sugarcane workers and farmers suffered hunger. In 1985, the crisis in Negros became known countrywide and abroad. Assistance from local and international government and non-government organizations (NGOs) flowed in. Japan Committee for Negros Campaign (JCNC) was among the international NGOs that responded to the crisis. JCNC provided financial grants for use in relief and rehabilitation of farmers' cooperatives or People's Organization (PO). However, most of the cooperatives failed.

The concept of "Trade-Not-Aid"

     JCNC and other local NGOs realized that the relief and rehabilitation mode of assistance does not support long-term objectives based on the series of unsuccessful development works and collapsed cooperatives. Thus, the Trade-Not-Aid concept was developed. The approach emphasized the need to sustain partnership with people's organization in Negros through alternative trading. This concept led to the establishment of Alter Trade Corporation (ATC).