THIRTY microfinance clients from the financial institutions of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) joined the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) Microfinance Clients Summit at Manila Prince Hotel, Ermita, Manila on July 24, 2019.
The annual summit, which is launched as part of the 20th anniversary of MCPI this year, is dedicated for clients of different microfinance institutions (MFIs) nationwide.
“The theme of this year’s summit is Transforming Microfinance through Digitalization. We want our clients to join us as we move toward digitalizing our systems. This is our way to provide more opportunities for microentrepreneurs,” said Fr. Jose Victor Lobrigo, MCPI Chairperson.
MCPI Chairperson Lobrigo also added that through this summit, microfinance institutions have the chance to share with its clients what they can contribute to the upcoming years in improving the programs and services of the microfinance industry.
The summit opened with the discussion on client protection about Client Rights and Responsibilities, Transparency and Data privacy through Director Attorney Jose Aquino and Ma. Lalaine Joyas.
A discussion about the benefits of Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG fund, and implementation of Negosyo Center of Department of Trade and Industry was facilitated by Ms. Ma. Nympha Ragel, Mr. Florencio Pedro Galang, Jr., and Mr. Edwin Pasahol, respectively.
For clients, the summit encouraged them to participate in every activity related to achieving digital growth of microfinance industries.
“We feel blessed that CARD MRI never forgets to give us the chance to participate in this kind of event. We are glad that we are part of every success of the institution,” said Charito Delfin, CARD Bank, Inc. client from Roxas City.
Prior to the Microfinance Clients Summit, the 30 CARD MRI participants underwent a two-day Lakbay-Aral where they had an orientation about the programs and services of CARD MRI and a head office tour. They also participated in a heritage tour program call Hijos de San Pablo facilitated by CARD MRI Hijos Tours, the tour company under CARD MRI.
“As many of our delegates traveled from different parts of the country to attend the MCPI Microfinance Clients Summit, we want their experience to be holistic. We prepared activities for them that would allow them not only to enjoy, but specially to learn new things about CARD MRI,” said CARD MRI Managing Director Flordeliza M. Sarmiento.
“We send our clients to activities like this because we want them to gain new knowledge on how to improve their businesses. This is to also help them improve their social skills in leading the community as well as their families,” emphasized Sarmiento.
A total of 90 microfinance clients from 11 microfinance institutions in the country participated in the summit. CARD MRI looks forward to participating in more activities hosted by MCPI in the upcoming years.
