Citi cites 11outstanding microentrepreneurs

MANILA, Philippines - Citibank Philippines and the Citi Foundation, in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc. (MCPI), recognized 11 outstanding Filipino microentrepreneurs during the 2010 Citi Microentrepreneur of the Year Awards held recently.

Ester Lumbo, a manufacturer of bags made from pandan leaves, is this year’s Masikap national awardee from the Visayas.

The Masikap island group winners are: pawid trader and duck raiser Zenaida Avellaneda from Luzon; turmeric tea grower and trader Mary Jane Reyes from the Visayas; and carinderia owner Analiza Candole from Mindanao.

This year’s national awardee for the Maunlad category is Nora Bagaforo, fisher and sari-sari store owner from the Visayas. 

The island group winners are: farmer Elma Gabriel from Luzon; organic farmer Enrico Jingco from the Visayas; and Letecia Tabotabo, owner and manager of a manpower services company in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, farmer Herminigildo Dulatre is the special awards winner in the agriculture category, copra harvester Lourdes Acuna bagged the prize in businesses operating in hard-to-reach areas category, while recycler Ismael Adiaton won for green or sustainable enterprises.

The national selection committee is co-chaired by BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco and Citi Philippines country head Sanjiv Vohra. Its members include Antonino Alindogan Jr., Joey Concepcion, Felipe Gozon, Marixi Prieto, Tessie Sy-Coson, Dr. Darwin Yu and Fernando Zobel de Ayala.