News

Ivy Millare's CMA Win Celebrated in Koronadal

Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc. (MCPI), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and CITI Foundation, in cooperation with Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay, Inc. (KMBI), reenacted the awarding ceremony of Citi Microenterprenuership Award for Ms. Millare in front of her family, friends and co-program members last January 31, 2017.

Dubbed as “Town Hall Celebratory Activity”, the moment of awarding was recreated in front of her loved ones in Koronadal, making them feel as if they were all present during the main awarding rites at the BSP held last December 06, 2017.

Highlights of the event were attestations of Ms. Millare’s contribution to her community. The Barangay Chairwoman and former neighbor of Ms. Millare recounted the tough times Ms. Millare had gone through in the past. “Di ko alam papano nya nagawa na umayos ang buhay…pero ito nagawa nya,” she shared. (I couldn’t figure out how she could muddle through…but she still made it.)

Husband of Ms. Millare also shared their business secrets in his testimonials. According to him, the secret formula for any business endeavor is giving your best and not settling for anything less. He also emphasized the importance of putting extra hard work in everything we do.

Ms. Millare herself took the final testimony. She gave credit to God, declaring that her accomplishment is a blessing from above, and that ‘apart from Him, everything is nothing.’

She also shared the humble beginnings of their business. She recalled the complaints of their customers on the blandness of their pies. But with a mindset of a microentrepreneur, she used the feedback of their customers to make necessary adjustments on their recipe and put extra effort in marketing their products. She also shared the importance of dressing up to display professionalism.

She closed her testimony by thanking KMBI for being her partner in transforming her family’s lives from poverty to a success story.

The celebration was capped off by VisMin Regional Director, Ms. Amy Andilab, and Deputy Executive Director for Credit Operations Group, Ms. Rachelle Basiya, who imparted messages to the Program Members present in the event. They encouraged the audience to follow the footsteps of Ms. Ivy Millare.

Furthermore, they assured the Program Members that KMBI will continue to support the microentrepreneurs and work continuously to elicit holistic transformation in their lives.

25 Microfinance Delegates from India and Nepal Visit KMBI

KMBI, through the Training and Advanced Education arm of the Transformational Development and Training Group (TDTG), spearheaded the study visit of 25 microfinance practitioners from India and Nepal.

The organization’s partners, which include Microfinance Council of the Philippines (MCPI) and Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association Center for Training and Research in Agricultural Banking (APRACA CENTRAB), selected KMBI as model institution for practitioners to learn about microfinance operations, services, processes and practices in the Philippines.

The first batch of international delegates for 2018 was composed of 11 Nepalese practitioners who visited KMBI Panay Office last January 16 for an orientation on KMBI’s programs, services and loan processes, facilitated by Deputy Executive Director for the Transformational Development and Training Group, Ms. Hazel Christine R. Bayaca.

The delegates also visited Tandang Sora Branch to observe center meeting practices and interact with KMBI Program Members on their second day. Training Director, Mr. Anselmo Edwin B. Aruelo, facilitated the field exposure along with NCR Area Manager, Mr. Jose Archie Cruz and Officers of Tandang Sora Branch.

On the other hand, 14 delegates from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) based in India, boarded on the same exposure program last January 24-25, 2018.

KMBI is a pioneer of a microfinance approach called “trustbank” which has been widely adopted by several other organizations in different countries. The benchmarking allowed the delegates to learn best practices in microfinance as practiced by KMBI, such as the integration of values formation in center meetings as part of loan collection procedures.

2018 Plans Revealed at the General Assembly

A total of 106 Officers from the Head Office and Branches convened for the annual assembly last January 17-19, 2018 to uncover KMBI's plans for 2018.

The three-day activity, held at Quest Hotel and Conference Center, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, focused on the KMBI's future plans anchored on its seven strategic directions.

Included in the assembly is a series of framework orientations from the Transformational Development and Training Group to give the participants a fresh view on the processes of how products and services are developed and implemented. Amongst the topics discussed are: 1) Social Performance Management; 2) Progress out of Poverty Index; 3) Client Protection Principles; and 4) Customer Relations Management.

On the other hand, the Human Capital Department conducted a policy reinforcement on the new employee referral incentive program and the revised Code of Conduct.

KMBI President and Vice-Chairman, Mr. Eduardo C. Jimenez, spearheaded the launching of KMBI's theme verse for 2018, centered on Romans 12:1-2.

A commitment run was held on the last day, symbolic of the long road ahead that requires sacrifice and dedication from the participants to be able to achieve the long-term vision of the organization.

Since 2014, the General Assembly has been taking place annually to solidify communication, cooperation, and fellowship among branch and Head Office officers. This also aims to promote unity by enhancing staff valuing and building close & healthy relationships.

112 Children Benefit From Adopt-A-Daycare Program

KMBI, through the initiatives of the Social Protection Division of the Transformational Development and Training Group (TDTG), mounted its Adopt-A-Daycare Program to spread blessings to a total of 112 young pupils in Quezon City last December 1, 2017 and Davao City last December 5, 2017. This activity is done in partnership with APPEND, KMBI Development Foundation, Inc., (KDFI), and concerned local governments.

55 children from Yakap Daycare Center in Brgy. Quirino, Quezon City and 57 from Sunflower Hope Daycare Center received Christmas gifts from KMBI in the form of school supplies, educational toys and personal hygiene kits, among others.

Through this intervention, KMBI seeks to address education as one of the basic rights of children by fostering childhood care and development.