Aboitiz Foundation and CARD mark 1st year partnership anniversary Tweet Save Share

The Aboitiz Foundation and Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Inc. (CARD) reached a milestone last February as they celebrated one year of fruitful partnership. The celebration brought together CARD officers and various Aboitiz business units corporate social responsibility representatives.

The anniversary celebration was anchored on the partnership’s accomplishments over the past year and plans moving forward. One of the event highlights is the recognition of stakeholders who have worked for the disadvantaged sector and underprivileged communities.

In February 2016, the Aboitiz Foundation and CARD joined hands in helping communities by establishing two adopt-a-microfinance branches located in Brgy. Libtong in Tiwi, Albay and Brgy. Calinan in Davao City, and a wholesale fund program.

The adopt-a-microfinance branch program provides easy, affordable access, and a friendly experience to microfinance clients who mostly come from rural and unbanked areas, while the wholesale fund program provides support to partner cooperatives in their business operations, alongside several capability building and livelihood skills trainings.

“It is CARD‘s great honor and privilege to work with Aboitiz Foundation. Both organizations are complementing in creating economic sustainability and social progress in the community. Just like with Aboitiz Foundation’s mission to help people help themselves, CARD is also committed to empower socially and economically challenged women and families, and transform them into responsible citizens of their communities,” said Flordeliza Sarmiento, CARDMRI Deputy Managing Director.

Sarmiento  added that the partnership is an opportunity for CARD to work with other social development organizations upholding the same mission of helping  Filipinos climb out of poverty.  This encouraged CARD to embrace and invest on the partnership. “The wide network and coverage of CARD, backed with the support of resources from Aboitiz Foundation, is a great chance to create an impact in areas where both organizations co-exist,” she added.

At present, the wholesale fund program now serves 29 active cooperatives nationwide, while the adopt-a-microfinance branch has 782 beneficiaries in Tiwi, Albay and 728 beneficiaries in Calinan, Davao City. Both adopted branches have reported 100% repayment performances on their receivables.

As part of its Enterprise Development for a BetterWorld program, the Aboitiz Foundation will continue to provide capability building and livelihood skills trainings for partner organizations to help ensure the latter are well equipped with basic knowledge and business-handling skills.

“The Aboitiz Foundation remains committed to pursuing future opportunities with CARD and other organizations, and we will continue to work with our partners in co-creating communities that are safe, empowered, and sustainable through our programs in education, enterprise development, environment, and health and well-being,” said Maribeth L. Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.