Kaagapay Newsletter Q4

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023

ISSUE 04

KAAGAPAY NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE RAFI MFI’s 25th Anniversary MEA Entrepreneurs’ Summit Branches Opened Pagtuki October and November

RAFI MFI’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY Last December 9, 2023 is a celebration woven from years of dedication, hardwork, and a heartfelt commitment to serve the least, the last, and the lost. Through perseverance driven by its mission and vision, we’ve forged pathways to economic growth and continuously create lasting impact in every community we serve.

RAFI MFI Tindahan Ni Nanay Updates Together4Teachers Digi Caravan Trade Fairs

HC Updates Other Events MCPI Conference OCT 2023 PMAP Annual Conference Research Congress WASH

Updates

“ STEADFAST AT 25

We also shared this moment to appreciate the past when it was once called as Cebu Micro Enterprise Development Foundation, Inc (CMEDFI), to now its present name as RAFI Microfinance Inc (RAFI MFI), and for the future years during which it will further expand. Last December 9 was a chance to reflect the organization’s journey throughout the past few years and acknowledged the unsung heroes behind the scenes.

A CELEBRATION WOVEN FROM YEARS OF DEDICATION

To everyone who has made RAFI MFI to what it is now, this is for you.

Happy 25th Anniversary, RAFI Microfinance, Inc!

THE PILLARS OF RAFI MICROFINANCE

Past leaders were recognized during the 25th anniversary celebration held last December 9, 2023.

MEA ENTREPRENEURS’ SUMMIT The RAFI Microfinance, Inc., on its 25th year, celebrated the Entrepreneur’s Summit with the theme “Sulong Negosyante: Charging Forward to Unlock the Potentials of Women Microentrepreneurs”.

The event promoted insightful discussions and business experiences of microentrepreneurs amidst challenges and awarded outstanding women entrepreneurs.

For this year’s Power Pinay: Mauswagon Entrepreneur Award (MEA), RAFI Microfinance partnered with the Asia Impact Foundation, Inc., (AIFI) an international NGO that aims to enable positive impact across Southeast Asia in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Five women micronetrepreneurs across the country who have successfully established, expanded, and sustained their businesses were honored through Power Pinays: Mauswagon Entrepreneur Award (MEA) under different categories: • Leaders of Decent Work and Economic Growth- Mauswagon Category Delia Inoc (owner of shell craft and hog fattening business) Virgilia Bonghanoy (owner of general merchandise)

• Leader of Decent Work and Economic Growth- Youth Category Analyn Baria (owner of digital printing, school supplies, and restaurant)

• Leader of Industry Innovation Ailyn Flormata - (owner of native bags business) • Leader of Responsible Consumption and Production Maylin Ligad – (President of Ritazo Women Workers’ Association - sewing business)

“Embracing the challenge, demonstrating resilience, and determination in the face of adversity – these are essential characteristics of a successful individual,” shared Amaya Cristina A. Fansler, President, and Chief Executive Officer of RAFI and RAFI Microfinance, during her opening speech.

Cebuano couple entrepreneurs JP and Maimai Maunes, the summit’s keynote speakers, shared insights on how they started and have progressed their food business amidst the COVID pandemic.

The summit also showcased locally handmade products of RAFI Microfinance merchants, featuring a dedicated marketplace called “Paskong Handog ni Nanay”.

RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. (RAFI MFI) started as a program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) under the economic wellbeing pillar with a mission that aims to elevate the lives of our micro-entrepreneurs, the community, and their families.

RAFI MFI is currently operating across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with 308 branches open and serving more than 600,000 clients.

RAFI MFI EXPANDS REACH WITH FOUR NEW BRANCHES ACROSS THE PHILIPPINES

“ SIGNIFICANTLY ADVANCING ITS IMPACT

With the recent establishment of four new branches across the Philippines, RAFI Microfinance, Inc. (RAFI MFI) is significantly advancing its impact in the country. During the months of October and November, RAFI MFI inaugurated 4 new branches in Tanauan, Lipa, Lemery (Batangas), and Los Banos (Laguna) with a strong commitment to expanding financial opportunities and empowering people in these communities.

LOS BANOS BRANCH Laguna

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH

LEMERY BRANCH Batangas

LIPA BRANCH Batangas

TANAUAN BRANCH Batangas

This demonstrates RAFI MFI’s dedication to promoting economic growth and financial awareness while reaching out to communities in need, ultimately leading to a more secure and independent future for the people they serve.

PAGTUKI: AWARENESS AND GIVEBACK Pagtuki — a monthly segment that discusses various informative topics, offers helpful advice and encourages personal growth. Pagtuki serves as a reminder that knowledge can empower us to overcome challenges and build a more promising future.

During the month of October, our focus was on an essential topic, ‘Pink Month,’ which recognizes the significance of Breast Cancer Awareness. The guests for the October Pagtuki were Nanay Bernadita Yap and Dr. Mark Ando, a Medical Oncologist at Perpetual Succour Hospital - Cebu Cancer Institute, and Medical Specialist II at Cebu South Medical Center.

These guests came from various fields of expertise, carefully selected for their knowledge and unique viewpoints to provide a balanced and thorough understanding of Breast Cancer Awareness not only in ladies but also in gentlemen.

For November Pagtuki, it was a lookback of the previous Entrepreneurs’ Summit in preparation for this year’s. With the theme “Sulong Negosyante: Charging Forward to Unlock the Potentials of Women Microentrepreneurs.”

Ms. Larrez Arligue of Client Engagement and Development Services, along with Nanay Mariane Gonzales were the guest speakers to talk about their experiences at the previous Entrepreneurs’ Summit and what to look forward to this year.

RAFI MFI TINDAHAN NI NANAY UPDATES TOGETHER FOR TEACHERS: RAFI Microfinance, Nanay Entrprenuers and City Savings Bank Collaborate for National Teachers Month.

RAFI Microfinance Inc. (RAFI MFI) has partnered with City Savings Bank during the #Together4Teachers 2023 National Teachers’ Month (NTM) Celebration.

This collaboration marks the first business-to-business synergy between these two institutions, and it likewise blazes the trail in RAFI MFI’s efforts to link the corporate market to community-based micro-entrepreneurs.

CitySavings is among the first organization within the Aboitiz Group of Companies to act towards their goal of “Great Transformation” through sustainability and socio-economic empowerment efforts. By partnering with the Nanays of RAFI MFI to customize sustainable tokens that are #handmadewithlove, CitySavings expresses their appreciation for the teachers’ crucial role in nation building. Moreover, for every token received, the teachers - through CitySavings and RAFI MFI - contribute to nurturing families and strengthening communities.

One of these communities is the merchant-group Ritazo Tingub Women Workers Association. The Ritazo Tingub Women Workers Association specializes in producing bags, pouches, wallets - all made from scrap fabrics donated by neighboring RTW (Ready-to-Wear) manufacturers and RAFI MFI’s other corporate partner - Uratex.

Under the flagship program of Tindahan ni Nanay, CitySavings Bank has ordered a total of 5,000 money makers and 5,000 pencil cases, which will be distributed to teacher-clients nationwide in its 149 branches.

DIGI CARAVAN: Illustrate The Advantages Of Maintaining A Digital Presence Last November 8, 2023, our Tindahan Ni Nanay merchants had the pleasure of being invited by DTI Cebu to take part in this year’s Digital Caravan held at the Golden Prince Hotel & Suites, Cebu City.

Throughout this initiative, our merchants had the opportunity to explore various social media platforms, digital wallets, and other digital tools, which helped them grasp the efficiency, sustainability, and essential management skills needed for their businesses in the digital world.

The core purpose of this caravan is to illustrate the advantages of maintaining a digital presence, ensuring that businesses remain highly relevant in the digital world.

TRADE FAIRS: Paskong Handog ni Nanay

TRADE FAIRS: NURTURING AND PROMOTING LOCALLY HANDMADE PRODUCTS RAFI MFI’s Tindahan Ni Nanay had a trade fair last December 6-9 at the City Wing Atrium at SM Seaside Cebu with the theme “Paskong Handog Ni Nanay” — a marketplace dedicated to nurturing and promoting locally handmade products of RAFI MFI merchants.

SM SEASIDE December 6-9, 2023

THE OUTLETS PUEBLO VERDE November 10-12, 2023 Trade Fairs

Cooking Demo, Story Telling And Film Viewing

THE OUTLETS PUEBLO VERDE November 17-19, 2023

ACTIVITY CENTER, AND ALFRESCO, THE OUTLETS AT PUEBLO VERDE, LAPU LAPU CITY November 25, 2023

INAGTA FESTIVAL Food Bazaar Trade Fair

MUNICIPAL PLAZA PARK, SIATON NEGROS ORIENTAL November 17-December 6, 2023

HC UPDATES TOTAL NEW HIRES FROM OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2023

154 OTHER EVENTS

AWARDING CEEREMONY OF THE 2ND DFIA MCPI October 24, 2023

MCPI successfully held the Awarding Ceremony of the 2nd Digital Financial Inclusion Awards (DFIA) on October 24, 2023, at the BSP Assembly Hall.

Congratulations to the 5 Microfinance winners - CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay, Inc. (KMBI), Kabuhayan sa Ganap na Kasarinlan Credit and Savings Cooperative (K-Coop), RAFI Micro-Finance, Inc., and Rural Bank of Guinobatan, Inc.

MCPI BOARD MEETING AT CARD OFFICE San Pablo Laguna November 29, 2023

PMAP ANNUAL CONFERENCE October 25-27, 2023 at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel

Last October 25-27, 2023, the 60th PMAP Annual Conference was held at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. The association anticipated having over thousands of delegates to be present and witness the conference, meet co-HR leaders and learn significant areas.

RESEARCH CONFERENCE November 14, 2023 at MJ Hotel and Suites, Cebu City

BEST PRACTICES OF RAFI MICROFINANCE’S WASH November 20-21, 2023 at Cebu Parklane Hotel

Jonar B. Dorado, COO of RAFI Microfinance talks about the Best Practices of RAFI Microfinance’s WASH Loan through Individual Lending during the Microfinance Practitioners Summit 2023 with the theme “Empowering Tomorrow: Innovation in Inclusive Finance” held last Nov 20-21, 2023, at Cebu Parklane Hotel.

UPDATES

BRANCH OPENINGS:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

We’ve reached up to 42,000 followers on Facebook!

Visit our page at RAFI Micro Finance Inc. Don’t forget to click like and follow for more updates!

RAFI MFI HOTLINE

(032) 411 1700

Smart: calls only SMS : text only Whistleblower

0919 065 8074 0922 999 8881 0917 808 9569

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Email

rafimfi_cares@rafi.ph

OTHER CHANNELS:

TINDAHAN NI NANAY

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LEARNING HUB

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RAFI MFI YOUTUBE

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