News

Pure-It Loan Program Launched in All KMBI Branches Nationwide

KMBI, in partnership with Unilever Pure-It, has successfully implemented the rollout of its Pure-It Loan Program under the Kabalikat para sa Kalinisan at Kalusugan (KKK) Program in all KMBI branches beginning November 2016.

This was done following the exchange visit of KMBI’s Pure-It Team to Unilever India to explore partner microfinance industries in the country, insights from which were presented during the Pure-It Workshop along with the finalization of loan features and guidelines held a month before the rollout.

As part of the kick-off activity, the Training of Trainers (TOT) was held at the La Breza Hotel in Quezon City last November 15, 2016 to brief staff of policies, procedures, and instructions pertinent to the operation of Pure-It devices.

The Pure-It Loan Program is the pioneer product offered by KMBI on Health and Sanitation project, which will help the organization open value-added services to clients and non-clients.

ME Summit 2016: Empowering the Entrepreneurial Poor

More than 3,500 KMBI Program Members had their fair share of fun and inspiration from the recently held MicroEntrepreneurs' (ME) Summit on October 22, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Senator Bam Aquino graced the event with his keynote address. Other influential personalities present at the Summit included Ms. Miriam Quiambao-Roberto, Ms. Christine Bersola-Babao, Ms. Chit Juan, and Cong. Harry Roque.

Former beauty queen Ms. Miriam Quiambao-Roberto educated the attendees on becoming women of value, and Echo Store owner Ms. Pacita “Chit” Juan urged the clients to play a proactive role in sustaining the environment.

On the other hand, Ms. Christine Bersola-Babao imparted her expertise on entrepreneurship by teaching the participants the ingredients for entrepreneurial success, while Vice-President Leni Robredo reinforced the untapped capacity of women as change-makers in the society through a video-recorded statement.

In addition, Ms. Lydia Malot, an award-winning nata de coco producer from Davao City and an existing KMBI client who was hailed as the National Awardee of the 2015 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA), brought inspiration to her fellow clients by sharing her success story at the event.

To top off the series of empowering discussions, Congressman Harry Roque delivered his informative update and speech. This was followed by the OPM Hitmen taking the attendees back in time by singing songs of classic serenade.

The ME Summit 2016 is a large-scale event that seeks to establish a place for empowerment to women microentrepreneurs through learning opportunities and discussions from reputable speakers. The activity is in line with the celebration of KMBI’s 30th founding anniversary.

LEaD Camp 2016: I Live to Love and Lead

It was another year jam-packed with plenty of knowledge, enjoyment, and inspiration for 750 KMBI staff members as they took part in the 2016 Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEaD) Camp held at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City from October 20 to 21, 2016.

The two-day event, dubbed with an overarching theme of “Leading the Christian Life in Action,” concentrates on three major tenets servant-leaders must uphold: (1) live by loving God; (2) love by connecting with others; and (3) lead by serving.

KMBI Chairman and Vice-President Mr. David D. Gutierrez commenced the first day of the LEaD Camp. Following the ceremonial opening, KMBI offered gratitude to the Lord for being good to the organization in the past 30 years through praise and worship.

Among the highlights of the rest of the first day were colorful dance performances from K-Force, awarding rites that gave distinction to the top-performing areas, branches, and employees, as well as inspirational talks from Mr. Edgardo F. Garcia, the organization’s Corporate Treasurer.

“The fact that we are here today is a living testament that we have hardworking and dedicated field staff, management staff, and leadership team working together to create a success story out of KMBI. And our success story must be inter-moving with the success story of our clients and members,” he expressed.

KMBI President and Vice-Chairman Mr. Eduardo C. Jimenez concluded the first day through a ceremonial toast. He stressed the importance of the number thirty which, according to numerology, connotes three important views that are perfectly aligned to what KMBI is celebrating right now.

“So [the number] thirty, when we look at what we’re celebrating, is indeed very important. It connotes new ideas, advancement, and expansive development,” Mr. Jimenez stated in his speech.

Where enjoyment and inspiration collide

The LEaD Camp Day 2 kicked off with a series of plenary talks from three key individuals who graced the activity.

First to deliver motivation was Dr. Don D. Cua, a medical missionary doctor. He reminded the future leaders that the most essential purpose of their life is to love God with all of their heart by following and listening closely to His directions.

“Where are you in terms of your spiritual life, your family life, your careers?” He challenged all KMBI staff to take on bigger roles if they aspire to achieve greater heights. “Do not be afraid to take risks,” he said.

Furthermore, beauty queen Ms. Miriam Quiambao-Roberto buffed up the concept of life as a daily commitment to honor God by loving and creating a family that is “beautifully rooted and nurtured in His love.”

To complete the triad of lectures, Far East Broadcasting Company President Mr. Dan Andrew Cura imparted the true definition of leadership in its deepest value. He shared that every leader must be moved deeply to an advocacy of becoming an agent of change and transformation that is deeply anchored in God’s love for the poor.

The first session of Day 2 closed with the culmination led by Ms. Mila Bunker, who uttered words of prayer to bless everyone at KMBI.

Fun through art of dancing

The evening session was teeming with creativity and expression, as the Head Office staff grooved at the stage with their opening Cha-Cha dance number.

This was followed by an all-encompassing dance number from the K-Force to establish rhythm for the Dance Evolution.

Out of the twelve areas who danced their way to the top, the Davao area stood triumphant snagging the first place, followed by CALABARZON at second place, and SOCKSARGEN took the third spot.

Highlighting the fun in the night was the “Mr. and Ms. face of the night” which recognized two individuals who caught the most attention from their attire.

This year’s LEaD Camp is one of the most significant activities of KMBI in celebration of its 30th founding anniversary.

In his LEaD Camp 2016 Chairman’s message, Human Capital Director Mr. Anselmo Edwin B. Aruelo expressed that the Camp is an activity intended to bring all KMBI staff members on the centrality of God’s love as the very core of every leader’s being.

“Leadership anchored in God’s love is direction, but leadership without God’s love is destruction,” he wrote in the statement.

BA & BM Conference: Reinforcing Leadership through Camaraderie

Sixty-three key personnel from the Credit Operations Group (COG) rounded up at the Function Hall of the Golden Phoenix Hotel, Pasay City for the 3rd Annual Branch Managers' (BM) Conference held on October 19-20, 2016.

Attendees of the BM Conference comprised of the 45 Branch Managers (BM) and 17 Head Office-based COG staff. The two-day conference is designed to orient the participants on newly approved principles of the organization, enhance managerial skills through basic leadership and discipline, spread awareness on policies and procedures among COG officers, encourage a spirit of unity and camaraderie among BMs and Area Managers, and recognize outstanding BM and branch performance.

KMBI Chairman and Vice-President David D. Gutierrez commenced the first day of the activity. The Day 1 of the BM Conference zeroed in on the issue of extra-judicial killings, the discussion of which was facilitated by Atty. Gilbert Andres of Roque and Butuyan Law Offices.

Subsequent to the discussion was the orientation on new policies conducted by Human Capital Director Mr. Anselmo Edwin B. Aruelo.

On the succeeding day, the BMs ramped up for a group activity. Before the two-day event concluded, outstanding Branch Managers were given recognition via an awarding ceremony.

Branch Accountants’ Convention

Simultaneously, more than 60 staff from the Finance and Accounting Division (FAD) assembled at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City for the Branch Accountants' (BA) Conference.

Amongst those discussed in the forum were updates on the recent BIR issuances and memoranda, orientation on new policies, review of Basic Accounting Standards and its Conceptual Framework, the importance of the role of BAs, and evaluation of their performances at work.

These activities are aligned to the strategic direction of KMBI to ensure financial and organizational sustainability. KMBI sees the need to provide training and capacity-building to Branch Managers and Accountants, as they play a vital role in the function of the organization.