Two Aboitiz units pool efforts to offer livelihood opportunities

CEBU, Philippines — Two Aboitiz-led firms have joined hands to provide livelihood opportunities for communities severely affected by the lingering pandemic.

RAFI Micro-finance Inc. (RAFI MFI) and Pilmico and Gold Coin Group (Pilmico) recently inked a partnership deal to boost livelihood opportunities specifically in the fields of backyard farming, bakery and agri-posts businesses.

Official signing of partnership agreement was held virtually last week, represented by Pilmico Foods Corp.- Philippines president and chief executive officer Tristan Aboitiz and RAFI-MFI chief operating officer Jonar Dorado.

According to Aboitiz, the partnership will allow both firms to maximize their strengths to ensure that common stakeholders get the maximum benefits.

“In every program or project we decide to take part in, we keep in mind the Aboitiz brand promise of advancing business and communities, and we couldn’t be more excited and proud to partner with RAFI MFI to execute this program to advance the lives of our fellow Filipinos in agribusiness,” explained Aboitiz.

“We promote long-term solutions by equipping them with livelihood kits and technical skills needed to create a sustainable living for themselves and for their families,” Aboitiz added.

The program is expected to support the recovery and resiliency programs for the chosen communities.

“Our mission of elevating the lives of our clients has become important more than ever. We believe we can do more in our client business development and marketing assistance to selected business segments our members are engaged in. With the programs in place, not only will RAFI MFI empower and retain loyal clients, RAFI MFI will also be able to create a new channel for client leads through Pilmico clients and beneficiaries,” said Dorado.

“With the RAFI MFI-Pilmico partnership, RAFI MFI will get closer to achieving its Sustainable Development Goals of lowering poverty.” Durado added.

 The program turned over livelihood kits including a gilt package, egg machines or bakery starter kits to beneficiaries through Pimico’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.

 The livelihood kits cost an estimate of P100,000. The group targets at least 20 beneficiaries for the program.

The barangay agri-post reseller program is intended to provide their clients the opportunity to become resellers of Pilmico products as well as gain access to financial bridging services to enhance the sustainability of Pilmico’s CSR livelihood programs.

Additionally, the partnership will also give more agro-entrepreneurs access to its financial services which include loans for micro-and small entrepreneurs, non-financial services such as seminars in husbandry and nutrition, basic or advanced baking and cooking demos led by a team of experts in Pilmico, and the Tindahan ni Nanay, which is RAFI MFI’s online store where micro-entrepreneur clients can post and sell their products, among others.