BPI Globe BanKO, Ateneo train microentrepreneurs

MANILA, Philippines - Since 2007, a joint training program has attracted more than 1,800 participants from 279 microfinance institutions (MFIs) reportedly benefiting over two million microfinance clients.

The training program, designed to enhance capacities of MFIs, is the collaboration between BPI Globe BanKO and the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).

BPI Globe BanKO is the Philippines’ first mobile-based, microfinance-focused savings bank, under the wings of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI).

Their joint project known as Building Capacities of Microfinance Institutions, is now on its fourth renewal. Since its inception, the partnership, through ADMU’s Development Studies Program and its partner-trainers from the Social Enterprise Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI), successfully equipped MFIs such as rural banks, cooperatives, non-government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) all over the country with the necessary skills and knowledge to further aid them in delivering microfinance services.

The program has also extended technical support and mentoring assistance to program participants, thereby strengthening the policies and operations of their institutions.

To date, the program has conducted 89 training events covering 25 microfinance topics in 13 key cities. Courses offered include fundamentals and methodologies of microfinance, market-based financial product design and development, delinquency management, and financial analysis.

The program likewise partnered with key microfinance players in the provinces to serve as training hubs.

Alay Sa Kaunlaran Inc. (ASKI) in Nueva Ecija, Nueva Segovia Consortium of Companies (NSCC) in Vigan, Metro Ormoc Community Cooperative (OCCCI) and Eastern Visayas Cooperative Federation (EVCF) in Leyte, Kasagana-Ka Development Center Inc. (KDCI) in Quezon City, Community Rural Bank of Catmon (CRBC) in Cebu, and Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF) in Bacolod City, are among the training hubs providing affordable and accessible training courses on a regular basis.

Also part of the program is the consultancy services provided by SEDPI to MFIs. Eligible institutions are allowed to avail of wholesale institutional loans from BPI Globe BanKO.

The program aims to hold more training events and set up training hubs in additional locations, offer new courses on energy efficiency and target more MFIs for Training and Mentoring Assistance (TAMA) in the next two years.