Microfinance institutions
in Caraga support government’s poverty alleviation program
By
Jennifer Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY (PIA) – A study tour dubbed “Panaghiusa” meaning unity or togetherness
took place in different barangays of Butuan City from April 16 to 18.
This
initiative was spearheaded by the Center for Agriculture and Rural
Development-Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD-MRI), media practitioners,
and representatives from Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga to support
the business endeavors and livelihoods of the local communities through a loan
program.
The
microfinance institutions operating under CARD-MRI are community development
financial entities established to support business development and community
empowerment, especially owners of small business entities or micro, small, and
medium enterprises (MSMEs).
 |
| Members of ASA Philippines, a non-profit, non-stock corporation
specializing in microfinance under the Center for Agriculture and Rural
Development - Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD -MRI), convened
for its weekly meeting in Barangay Antongalon, Butuan City. Photo by PIA
Caraga |
Media
practitioners and representatives from PIA Caraga regional office witnessed how
microfinance institutions conduct their weekly meetings in the barangays and
assist their members in paying their weekly dues.
Proper
protocol was observed to ensure that the gathering was safe and secured at the
designated meeting center.
Aristeo
A. Dequito, CARD-MRI managing director, stressed that microfinance institutions
are one with the government in addressing poverty alleviation, as this concern
needs a whole-of-nation approach, linking partnership and counterparts with
various stakeholders.
 |
| Aristeo A. Dequito, managing director of Center for Agriculture and
Rural Development-Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD-MRI), shared
with the media practitioners during the Lakbay-Aral dubbed “Panaghiusa,”
the services provided during the “Kaunlaran Caravan,” which is one of
their activities this month of April for its members in Butuan City.
Photo by PIA Caraga |
“The
CARD-MRI is a group of mutually reinforcing institutions with the common goal
of eradicating poverty in the Philippines and upholding the lives of Filipinos.
We also support the government in implementing its programs and services for
the vulnerable sectors, leaving no one behind,” he said.
Dequito
recalled that the CARD-MRI was established in December 1986 as a social
development foundation by a group of 15 rural development practitioners.
“CARD-MRI
is committed to empowering socially and economically challenged women and
families to eventually transform them into responsible citizens for their
community and the environment. From its humble beginnings, CARD-MRI has evolved
into 14 development institutions,” he said.
Also,
Marjun Bangahon, unit manager of CARD MRI Rizal Bank, who was assigned to
monitor the members in Barangay Antongalon, Butuan City, explained that small
loans are granted to the poor and low-income households for their
microenterprises and small businesses to enable them to raise their income
levels and improve their living standards.
“During
the weekly meetings with our members, we update them on the status of their
loans as well as the upcoming activities and opportunities for their families,
just like the scholarship program,” said Bangahon.
Sharing of members’ business endeavors
Francisco
Antioquia, a retired government employee who now ventures into the making of
tablea from Barangay Antongalon, Butuan City, showed to media practitioners and
personnel from PIA Caraga the machines and equipment they use when producing
tablea from cacao seeds.
 |
| Francisco Antoquia, a retired government employee and producer of tablea
from Barangay Antongalon, Butuan City, thanked the Center for
Agriculture and Rural Development -Mutually Reinforcing Institutions
(CARD - MRI) for the opportunity to avail of the loan program that
helped them sustain their business. Photo by PIA Caraga |
Antoquia shared
withthe team that his family was able to benefit from the loan program of
CARD-MRI and has improved their tablea business as their livelihood.
“During
my retirement, I decided to venture into tablea-making since we have cacao
trees in our backyard, and getting a loan from CARD-MRI really helped our
business. We will soon connect with the Department of Trade and Industry’s
Pasalubong Center to expand our market,” he said.
Juvelyn
Laguesma of Barangay San Vicente, Butuan City, also showed the team the
step-by-step procedures for making a tasty and crunchy chicharon (pork rind).
 |
| Juvelyn Laguesma of Barangay San Vicente, Butuan City, shared that her
family is now helping other micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)
earn income by reselling chicharon in their respective barangays. Photo
by PIA-Caraga |
Laguesma,
44 years old and mother of three, has been in this business since 2018.
She said,
"At first, it was my mother who availed of the loan program from the
CARD-MRI, which we used to start the business, and just last year (2023), my
own family also availed of the same program, and we used the funds to expand
our business as our livelihood."
She was
thankful to CARD-MRI for the constant guidance and assistance, as they now have
resellers from the different parts of region.
“Our
product packaging has also improved withthe help of this microfinance
institution,” she added.
CARD MRI’s mission
The
Center for Agriculture and Rural Development-Mutually Reinforcing Institutions
(CARD-MRI) is committed to: 1) empower socially and economically challenged
women and families through continuous access to financial, microinsurance,
educational, livelihood, health, and other capacity-building services that
eventually transform them into responsible citizens for their community and the
environment; 2) enable the women members to gain control and ownership of
financial and social development institutions; and 3) partner with appropriate
agencies, private institutions, and people and community organizations to
facilitate the achievement of mutual goals. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
