Search for outstanding microentrepreneurs launched

MANILA, Philippines - Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. and Citi country officer for the Philippines Batara Sianturi led the launching ceremonies of the annual Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA) at the Executive Business Center of BSP.

Now on its 11th year, the awards program continues to be successful in increasing awareness for microfinance and providing incentives to microentrepreneurs in the country. Funded by Citi Foundation, this nationwide search is a partnership among BSP, Citi Philippines and the Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc. (MCPI).

CMA was introduced in 2002 as Citi celebrated its centennial in the Philippines and in Asia. Since then, it has been adopted as a global program and introduced in 34 other countries.  Over the last decade, it has recognized 86 Filipinos, a number of whom have grown their businesses significantly in terms of profits and assets.

“These individuals are true models of tenacity and a rich source of inspiring life-long lessons for everyone. To us at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the saga of our microentrepreneurs’ success is a constant reminder of the empowering benefits of gaining access to financial services,” said Tetangco.

“Citi is privileged to partner with BSP and MCPI in drawing the spotlight to microfinance and entrepreneurship as sustainable solutions to poverty,” said Sianturi.  “Each year, we celebrate the success of our individual winners for their economic heroism that play a big role in the development of their communities and the larger society.”

 Tetangco and Sianturi serve as co-chairpersons of the National Selection Committee that determines the winners. Other members include industry and community leaders such as former Monetary Board member Antonino Alindogan, Jr., Ayala Corp. president and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala, RFM Corp. president and CEO Jose Concepcion III, GMA Network chairman Atty. Felipe Gozon, Robinsons Retail Group president and COO Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Philippine Daily Inquirer chairperson Marixi Prieto, and Ateneo de Manila University professor Dr. Darwin Yu.  This year, Ms. Loida Nicolas-Lewis has also accepted the invitation to serve.