The People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) thru its Account Management Department for Northern and Central Luzon Operations, in collaboration with the Central Luzon Association of MFIs (CLAM), the Microfinance Council for Region 1 and CAR (MCRC) and the Northeast Luzon Microfinance Council (NLMC) held an awarding ceremonies last December 11, 2008 at the Fontana Leisure Park Convention Center in Clarkfield, Pampanga. The ceremony aptly known as ‘Gawad Kaunlaran’ which stands for Kabalikat na Uliran Laban sa Kahirapan was aimed to recognize excellent-performing MFI Account Officers and successful end-clients. The said event also paved the way for the MFIs in Northern and Central Luzon together with the PCFC staff and management to celebrate the yuletide season.
Twenty-six PCFC MFI partners from the three councils joined the celebration of which 99 MFI officers and staff including client-nominees attended the event. Also gracing the occasion as guests were Ms. Iluminada L.E. Cabigas and Haydee Bellosillo of LBP Countryside Development Foundation, Inc. (LCDFI).
The event was formally opened by Mr. Rolando B. Victoria, CLAM President and Alalay Sa Kaunlaran Inc. (ASKI) Executive Director. After which, PCFC President & CEO Edgar V. Generoso delivered his message as he expressed his gratitude and congratulations to the councils for helping PCFC recognize the sheer dedication and hard work of the MFI field officers and end-clients.
Ms. Pia Bernadette Roman, Head of BSP Inclusive Finance Advocacy, was invited to give a presentation on the impact of global recession to the Philippine microfinance industry. It was followed by a lecture on the Early Learnings in Providing Agri-Finance and Serving Hard-to-Reach Areas by MCPI Executive Director Mr. Edgardo F. Garcia.
Listed below were the proclaimed winners:
Outstanding Field Officer (Group Lending):
1. Edward DC. Lobrin (RB Malasiqui) of MCRC
2. Melvin U. Villaluz (ASKI) of CLAM
3. Melvin U. Villaluz (ASKI/CLAM) of Northern and Central Luzon
Outstanding Center Chief
1. Lolita R. Jomero (RB Malasiqui) of MCRC
2. Luzviminda C. Sagun (MPRBI) of NLMC
3. Racquel Y. Serrano (ASKI) of CLAM
4. Luzviminda C. Sagun (MPRB/NLMC) of Northern and Central Luzon
Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur (Group)
1. Bienvenido G. Villanueva (Gulf Bank, Inc.) of MCRC
2. Elsa A. Encarnacion (Providence RB) of NLMC
3. Lilia P. Valerio (ASKI) of CLAM
4. Elsa A. Encarnacion (Providence RB/NLMC) of Northern and Central
Luzon
Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur (Individual)
1. Soledad A. Valencia (Gulf Bank, Inc.)
2. Nantete T. Gacias (MPRBI) of NLMC
3. Lope E. Pangan (ASKI) of CLAM
4. Soledad A. Valencia (Gulf Bank, Inc./MCRC of Northern and Central
Luzon
Each winner for the regional level has received a trophy from PCFC and a cash prize of Php 10,000.00 from the concerned council while all the awardees from the Northern and Central Luzon level were awarded a bigger trophy and cash prize of Php 20,000.00 each from PCFC. On the other hand, short listed nominees who were not fortunate to win were given framed certificates of appreciation and tokens (grocery baskets).