Improving Financial Access to Small Scale Farmers in Mindanao

After a successful conference in June 2011, wherein we discussed the need to improve financial access for our farmers and fisher folks, MMC in partnership with Planet Finance Japan and Japan International Cooperation Agency is launching a project dubbed "Improving Financial Access to Small Scale Farmers in Mindanao".

The project shall provide technical assistance to MFIs on developing Social Performance Management, Financial Education, and Market Research and Product Development. The objective is to be able to develop financial products and services targeting small scale farmers in rural areas in Regions 10, 11 and 12.

The project was formally launched on December 1, 2011 in Davao City. Individual agreements with MFIs followed in January 2012. Participating in the project are Cooperative Bank of Cotabato, Bansalan Cooperative Society and Milamdec Foundation.

Microfinance Best Practices Forum hits Cebu

Mindanao Microfinance Council, Inc. (MMC), in cooperation with Visayas Association of Microfinance Institutions, MASS-SPECC Cooperative Development Center, and VICTO National Co-operative Federation and Development Center, brought the 4^th Microfinance Best Practices Forum (MBPF) to Cebu City on June 9-10.

The Microfinance Best Practices Forum is an annual event organized by MMC. For 3 years, it has been bringing together microfinance practitioners from all over the Philippines, as well as several stakeholders in the microfinance sector under one roof to discuss issues, topics of common interest, and successful practices in the implementation of microfinance and poverty alleviation programs. In its 4th year, MMC brings the MBPF outside Mindanao.

Held at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the discussions in the 4^th MBPF circled around the theme “Bridging the Supply and Demand Gap on Financial Services for Rural Households”. Eleven distinguished speakers and over a hundred executives, managers, government officers, directors of the board, and NGO representatives from different organizations all over the country were present to analyze the state of Philippine Agriculture. Together, they came up with the best solutions, generated individual and group action strategies to address the identified constraints in improving the over-all performance of the sector.

Prof. Ronald T. Chua of the Asian Institute of Management facilitated the forum. Mr. Ramon Yedra, Deputy Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Agricultural Credit Policy Council read the message of DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala. In his message, Sec. Alcala commented on the gap between the agriculture sector and the finance institutions. He also cited the strengths of the agriculture sector and the continuing goals for self-sufficiency of the country through maximization of our resources for the sector’s expansion and intensified production; and emphasized the crucial role of the people in contributing to its growth.

Among the speakers were Dr. Rolando Dy, Executive Director of the Center for Food and Agri-Business in the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), and Dr. Gilbert Llanto, Senior Research Fellow of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). They pointed out the opportunities and challenges in agri-business value chains and rural finance. Mr. Joselito Almario, Bureau Director of the National Credit Council of the Department of Finance, and Mr. Ramon Yedra discussed how to manage risks in agriculture.

The second day of the forum was dedicated for panel discussions by Jane Manucdoc of Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc., Nic Richards of ACDI/VOCA Philippines, Ruel Romarate of the Land Bank of the Philippines, Mark Cervantes of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, Angelo Solarte of Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc., and Ernesto Galenzoga of Rural Bank of Talisayan (RBT) Mutual Benefit Association. These discussions set the stage for them to tackle the vulnerability of the agriculture sector and the current programs or activities that their organizations have already implemented in response to the issue.

The event was made possible through the help of Interchurch Organisation for Development Cooperation (ICCO), Land Bank of the Philippines, Encash, Automated Systems and Equipment Corporation, MicroEnsure Philippines, Small Business Corporation, Country Bankers Life Insurance Corporation, Bankers Assurance, and the People’s Credit and Finance Corporation, with Manila Bulletin and Business World Online as its media partners.

How MMC's BRIDGES can help Microfinance Institutions

Beyond credit delivery, MMC members have began delivering support services focusing on developing the capabilities of clients, providing business development, and community development support.

MMC recognizes the need to build stronger institutions that will deliver finance and capability development programs to the poor. If MMC Members are to achieve this goal, the need to improve organizational capacities is paramount.

MMC has launched a project aimed at supporting capacity development with special focus on helping MFIs achieve social and institutional objectives under the concept of TOTAL PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT.

The project, Building Resources in Developing Greater Effectiveness of Social Enterprises or BRIDGES, is designed to help MFIs develop institutional capacity focusing on people, systems, strategies, products, structure, and shared values.

MMC-BRIDGES is both a technical assistance program and a knowledge management program aimed at developing people, systems, and other areas of organizational development. It focuses on 5 basic management functions– Human Resources Management, Finance Management, Risk Management and Control, Microfinance Operations Management, and Social Performance Management - PPI. The BRIDGES Program aims to hone the the management skills of personnel holding key positions in the organization, improve the organization’s systems and align them with strategic objectives, build a community of peers working together to improve the practice of their profession within the same sector, and to improve the social and financial performance of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) participating in the program .

By assisting MFI participants in developing and strengthening their organizations, it is expected that there will be better service delivery. Hopefully, the common end of supporting poor families in their efforts to alleviate themselves from poverty can be achieved.

MMC is currently accepting scholarship applications for BRIDGES from its member MFI's. Contact MMC and know the steps in applying for admission to the BRIDGES Program. First BRIDGES Session is scheduled on June 27-29, 2011.