In its continuing effort to recognize microfinance practitioners, PCFC through its Account Management Team II headed by Assistant Vice President Ariel Tatlonghari, spearheaded the staging of Gawad Kaunlaran 2009 Year 2 (KAbalikat na UliraN LAban sa kahiRapAN) at the Fontana Leisure Park, Clarkfield, Pampanga last 4 December 2009, in coordination with PCFC’s partners -- Central Luzon Association of Microfinance Institutions (CLAM), the Northeast Luzon Microfinance Council (NLMC) and the Microfinance Council for Region I & CAR (MCRC). The event was aimed to recognize the exemplary performance of the microfinance institutions’ (MFIs) field officers and successful microfinance clients.
The awarding ceremonies started with an invocation and national anthem followed by a welcome remarks and acknowledgment of participants by the CLAM President, Jerry B. Coloma.
After the introduction of participants, PCFC’s President & CEO, Edgar V. Generoso, delivered an inspirational message highlighting the member-MFIs’ contribution to the over-all performance of PCFC. He also urged each MFI to work towards sustainability to be able to reach out more potential clients.
Butil Partylist Cong. Agapito “Pitong” Guanlao also delivered an inspirational message during the event.
Keynote speaker LCDFI President Iluminada L. E. Cabigas, for her part, urged the Luzon MFIs particularly the big ones to prioritize the establishment of a Business Development Services (BDS) Department, otherwise, they will soon lose their existing clients to competitors which are already heavy on BDS. She stressed that MFIs should not only concentrate on lending and collection but also assist in the whole aspect of client development that would eventually make a difference in the lives of the marginalized sector.
The keynote speech was then followed by a lecture on Governance which focused on the Social Performance Management. This was jointly discussed by MCPI’s Accredited Resource Speaker for SPM, May Garlitos and ASKI’s Advisory Member of the Board, Armi Silverio Linsangan. In a nutshell, the resource speakers discussed SPM as Putting Mission into Practice.
Right after the presentation of the event sponsors (Philippine Prudential Insurance Company, Inc., Infoserve, Inc., LCDFI, MCPI, Butil Partylist, PetNet and MICRA Philippines), the council heads - Mr. Coloma, Dr. Praxy Ignacio and Ms. Estolas presented their respective activities, plans and programs for their respective councils.
The highlight of the activity was the awarding of the Regional and Over-all Winners dubbed as Gawad Kaunlaran 2009. A profile of each winner was first presented followed by the awarding of cash prizes and trophies. For the cash prizes, each regional winner received P 10,000 each, while the over-all winner received P 20,000.
Listed below were the proclaimed winners:
A. Outstanding Mirco-Entrepreneur (Group)
1. Ma. Norie A. Dizon (CLAM – CB Pampanga)
2. Beverlyn M. Mariano (MCRC – Nueva Segovia)
3. Jovita D. Soriano (NLMC – Mallig Plains Rural Bank)
B. Outstanding Micro-entrepreneur (Individual)
1. Anita A. Lim (CLAM – Cooperative Bank of Tarlac)
2. Dolores “Ruth” R. Andaya (MCRC - Gulf Bank)
3. Norma C. Danao (NLMC – ASKI)
C. Outstanding Field Officer (Group)
1. Rommel T. Costales (CLAM – ASKI)
2. George M. Dapitan (MCRC – Rangtay Sa Pagrang-ay, Inc.)
3. Adamson S. Mejia (NLMC – ASKI)
D. Outstanding Field Officer (Individual)
1. Evelyn SP. Angelo (CLAM – CRB Bulacan)
2. Jojit G. Agustin (MCRC – Gulf Bank)
3. Pepito Perdido, Jr. (NLMC – AgriBank)
E. Outstanding Center Chief
1. Edith D. Ortiz (CLAM – ASKI)
2. Manolito Rapayrapay (MCRC – RSPI)
3. Elvie Manuel (NLMC – Mallig Plains RB)
F. Overall Winners
1. Jovita D. Soriano (Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur - Group)
2. Dolores “Ruth” R. Andaya (Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur - Individual)
3. Rommel T. Costales (Outstanding Field Officer - Group)
4. Evelyn SP. Angelo (Outstanding Field Officer - Individual)
5. Elvie Manuel (Outstanding Center Chief)
Before the wrap-ups, a dance competition among the three (3) Regional Councils where Coop Bank of Pampanga (for CLAM) emerged as winner taking home P 7,000. RSPI (for MCRC) came in second with a cash prize of P 6,000 while PR Bank (for NLMC) won the third place with P 5,000. Consolation prizes of P 2,000 each were also given to ASKI and Zambank.