|
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Ravanera: FPSDC--An innovation leader for the poor
By Orlando R. Ravanera
Regional Director, CDA-10
IT HAD been said that the past or the present does not shape the future, our vision does coupled with the single-minded determination to work for it and put it to reality.
Mere intention alone creates its own energy, how much more if it is pursued with a strong will.
For the Federation of People's Sustainable Development Cooperative (FPSDC), its intention to serve the "least of our brethren" during these most trying times saw its 54 constituency of cooperatives and non-government organizations nation-wide putting such intention simply and clearly, that is, to be an innovation leader in the financial and non-financial services for the marginalized sectors.
During its 10th General Assembly held recently in Cagayan de Oro City, those of us who work to advance cooperative development have found a strong ally in this Cooperative Federation that is increasingly becoming a strong instrument of people empowerment and development as well.
It is this Federation that is showcasing an alternative financial system that puts cooperative credit as a stop-gap measure to correct social-economic wrong.
We have to understand that at present, credit is still biased for the rich. The windfall of profit from the investments of rich people remain with the elite and the poor resigned to the daily rat race for the crumbs.
That in the case of Mindanao, for example, of the more than 100,000 business ventures, 94% of these are micro-enterprises which usually employs one to nine workers (MindaNew 2003).
And yet, the volume of the credit goes to the medium and large businesses as banks consider the micro and small enterprises as non-bankable.
To correct this social wrong, NGOs, civil society and cooperatives should take the pains and continue to develop the capabilities and extend assistance to small enterprises in order to be competitive.
It is unfortunate however that some of the NGOs and cooperatives have reneged on this task and have wittingly or unwittingly reinforced the bias against micro and small enterprises.
FPSDC however has been very consistent in its task of not only providing credit to its poor member cooperatives but has in fact hit the very root cause of poverty, that is, the powerlessness of the poor.
Credit is not just seen as a simple economic transaction but a social one that makes the poor productive by putting them in the mainstream of development processes.
We have to understand that infusion of credit per se could never be the solution to combat poverty unless the marginalized sectors participate in activities designed for their own uplift.
The Federation has trail-blazed the way in mobilizing resources not just to increase productivity and create employment but most importantly to empower the people to craft their own destiny.
When empowered, people participate not only in development process but in advocating to create the right policy environment.
The path toward building a society that is based on social justice, equity and sustainable development is not an easy one.
We need leaders who will show us the path and inspire us as well. These leaders should be innovative enough to cope up with the changing times. That leader may not necessarily be a person; it could in fact be a group or a Federation such us the FPSDC.
Kudos to FPSDC on its 10th General Assembly and more power.
(March 15, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
|
