KAUGMAON MINDANAO: Improving Financial Access to Small Scale Farmers ...

KAUGMAON MINDANAO: Improving Financial Access to Small Scale Farmers ...: After a successful conference in June 2011, wherein we discussed the need to improve financial access for our farmers and fisher folks, MMC...

KAUGMAON MINDANAO: Microfinance Best Practices Forum hits Cebu

KAUGMAON MINDANAO: Microfinance Best Practices Forum hits Cebu: Mindanao Microfinance Council, Inc. (MMC), in cooperation with Visayas Association of Microfinance Institutions, MASS-SPECC Cooperative Deve...

KAUGMAON MINDANAO: How MMC's BRIDGES can help Microfinance Institutio...

KAUGMAON MINDANAO: How MMC's BRIDGES can help Microfinance Institutio...: Beyond credit delivery, MMC members have began delivering support services focusing on developing the capabilities of clients, providing bus...

7TH MINDANAO MICROFINANCE CONFERENCE

The 7th Mindanao Microfinance Conference was held last March 22 and 23, 2011 at the Grand Ballroom of the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City.  Over 130 participants and guests came to attend the event.

Every year, MMC holds the Mindanao Microfinance Conference as part of its anniversary celebration.  MMC was formally registered on March 25, 2004.

This year's conference theme was "Raising the Bar Towards Greater Social Impact" meant to highlight the social goals of microfinance.

The conference started on March 22 with Francis Kong delivering a two hour talk on the "Disciplines of Breakthrough Social Entrepreneurs".  Prior to this, a pre-conference forum on microinsurance was conducted with Director Joselito Almario of the National Credit Council (NCC) as resource person.

MMC held its 7th Annual General Meeting in the evening of March 22.  MMC had its election of new officers during the AGM.  Siargao Bank, represented by Ms. Remedios Calderon, was elected as the new president of MMC for 2011-2012, replacing Spes Pauperum Foundation, represented by Fr. Arnel Celis.  Other officers of MMC include Bansalan Cooperative (Vice-President) represented by Ernesto Mabunga, Serviamus Foundation (Secretary) represented by Ms. Norma Gejon, Cooperative Bank of Cotabato (Treasurer) represented by Mr. Guillermo Carisma, Jr. and Milamdec Foundation (Auditor) represented by Engr. Antonio Sevillano.

The second day of the conference was graced by very important personalities in the microfinance sector. The Key Note was given by Secretary Joel Rocamora of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) followed by a representative from the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA).  Also speaking during the morning program was Mr. Christopher Tan of Grameen Foundation, who shared how the Progress out of Poverty Index may be used by MFIs. He was followed by Mr. Topper Coronel of the BAP Credit Bureau who shared about the importance of a credit bureau and how MFIs can avail of the service.

Mrs. Iluminada LE Cabigas was guest of honor and she spoke about the mission drift of MFIs and reminded participants to remain true to the mission of microfinance.

In the afternoon, PCFC, NLDC, MCPI, RBAP-MABS, and PinoyMe Foundation were given an opportunity to present their plans and programs for the microfinance sector in Philippines.

The event ended with a synthesis made by Prof. Ronald Chua of the Asian Institute of Management.

BRIDGES

MMC recently launched its core capacity building program for MFIs called BRIDGES in simple ceremonies held at the Brokenshire Convention Center in Davao City last August 18-20, 2010.

MMC, in partnership with ICCO, has launched this project to support the growth and development of the microfinance sector in Mindanao and to help MFIs reach out to more poor families over the next three years.

Prof. Felix Bustos, formerly with the Asian Institute of Management and Mr. Ian Canlas of SGV Foundation joined the participants in the three day overview of the BRIDGES Program.

BRIDGES stands for Building Resources in Developing Greater Effectiveness of Social Enterprises. It is MMC's contribution as well to the promotion of social performance management, but will be focused more in the actual provision of technical assistance services to MFIs in helping them translate mission into action.

3RD MICROFINANCE BEST PRACTICES FORUM

3rd MICROFINANCE BEST PRACTICES FORUM: Empowering the Leader in Affecting Social Change

Background

Understanding personal leadership helps us take that big step towards discovering who we are and where we want to go. Like any valuable tool, leadership must be thoroughly understood before it can effectively be engaged. Not only is it important to understand how to lead people, but also to know how to make good choices and how to lead projects.

Leaders of microfinance institutions play a big role in affecting social change. However, MFIs have slowly altered their ways from being socially effective to giving more focus on their financial operation. The essence of social responsibility for the MFIs in improving the lives of its employees, clients and the community is sometimes overlooked. Thus, a commitment to personal leadership will empower the leaders to achieve their social goals.

The Mindanao Microfinance Council will actively promote the development of microfinance in Mindanao through advocacy, information sharing and capacity building during its best practices forum. The 3^rd Microfinance Best Practices Forum aims to bring together microfinance practitioners and industry stakeholders from the government and private sectors to discuss relevant issues, special topics of interests, and successful practices in the implementation of microfinance and poverty alleviation programs in the Philippines.

The 3^rd Microfinance Best Practices Forum (MBPF) shall give emphasis to “Empowering the leader in affecting social change.” The two-day forum will bring together 150 microfinance experts and practitioners from the different microfinance institutions in the Philippines to share lessons and insights on effective leadership, people management, strategic market segmentation and going back to MFIs social dimension side. MFI support service providers will also be given a chance to present their products and services to generate new clients and for the MFIs to expand their networks.

Thus, the 3^rd MBPF generally aims to strengthen the MFI industry in Mindanao thru its leaders in being agents of social change.

Objectives

The learning objectives of the 3^rd Microfinance Best Practices Forum are:

1. To empower the microfinance leaders and stakeholders in affecting social change thru personal leadership
2. To highlight the importance of personal leadership in microfinance institutions thru sharing of best practices
3. To emphasize the need to understand how microfinance institutions can purposely affect the lives of microfinance clients
4. To identify and point out the future challenges and opportunities arising from the areas of financing and investment, technology and social development;
5. To understand the current situation of the MFIs in Mindanao and see how they could more effective in achieving institutional goals
6. To identify the channels, tools, and services that MFIs can utilize in achieving their social goals
7. To encourage partnership and cooperation in the Philippines among microfinance service providers, financiers and regulators in order to increase peer learning in microfinance.

THE 3RD MICROFINANCE BEST PRACTICES FORUM

WATERFRONT INSULAR HOTEL - DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES

MARCH 25 - 26, 2010