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Monday, March 10, 2003
Cebu CFI picked most outstanding, 4 others recognized
When the economy is in a stump, an article is written. When a company goes bankrupt, there is much talk and speculation. Corruption has become a common topic. But these institutions provide a ray of light in the midst of a world full of problems and difficulties.
Out of 40 nominations, five finalists were chosen for the Eduardo Aboitiz Award for Outstanding Institution, one of the categories of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi) Triennial Awards. The institutional award was named after Don Eduardo Aboitiz, son of the founder Don Ramon, who expanded his father’s philanthropic activities by strengthening and developing the foundation into a people development-centered organization.
Picked the Eduardo Aboitiz awardee for outstanding institution was Cebu Court of First Instance Cooperative during the awards ceremony held last March 7 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Other finalists were the Negros Economic Development Foundation (NEDF) – Bacolod city; Livelihood Enhancement through Agro-forestry (Leaf) Foundation, Inc. – Bislig city, Surigao del Sur; Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (Cite) – Cebu city; and the Muslim-Christian Agency for Rural Development (MuCard) – Cagayan de Oro city.
Cebu Court of First Instance Cooperative
Thirty-two years ago, Cebu CFI Community Cooperative had a dream. Today, the coop has realized it. From an initial membership of 29 and asset of P200, the cooperative at present has 12,500 members and over P377 million in assets. The beginning of the cooperative was a discovery and a learning process for all of them.
They learned that the primary purpose of the cooperative was to teach members the value of saving first, with credit as a secondary service and so “Save first before you spend” became their motto. Majority of their members are government employes with the rest classified as private employes, professionals, or self-employed.
Members’ loans are highest, in terms of availment, for commercial/industrial and
education purposes. The toils and triumphs of the coop are reflected in the individual success stories of the members.
Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise
Established in 1990, Cite is a product of a unique and fruitful cooperation between the school and various companies in the private sector, the local government, and individuals. Its partnership with international, national and local institutions contribute to the school’s financial resources and technical expertise. Its program provides the students with wider opportunities for employment after graduation. The out-of-school youth is given the chance to become a productive member of society through Cite’s programs. To foster sustainability of the center’s operations, Cite also engages in revenue-generating projects with various industries through training and seminars.
Aside from contributing to the scholarship fund, these types of engagements keep Cite’s instructors updated with industry practices and trends.
With its dual training system integrated into all courses, trainees are given the opportunity to apply their theoretical learning from the classroom to practical training outside.
Livelihood Enhancement through Agroforestry Foundation, Inc.
A non-government organization in Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur, Leaf envisions building self-reliant communities capable of sustainably managing their resources to improve their lives. These communities practice appropriate agro-forestry techniques, harness resources for environmentally-sound community enterprises, and harmonize the use of both indigenous and scientific knowledge. Through the years, it has maintained its four key intervention programs: Community Enterprise Development, Participatory Governance, Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Basic Support Services Development. Leaf’s strength lies in its technical expertise in agro-forestry, watershed rehabilitation, and reforestration of denuded forestlands.
Muslim-Christian Agency for Rural Development, Inc.
MuCard has organized 152 people’s organizations (POs), including nine federations and one confederation covering regions 9, 10, 12 and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. These POs are spread over 140 barangays in 19 municipalities and two cities in Mindanao. With a total membership of 5,361 household beneficiaries and over 32,166 direct and indirect individual members, these POs are federated and further confederated, forming a massive network of organized communities. These organized communities serve as vehicles for social and political awareness, organizational collaboration, farming technology transfer and economic upliftment.
MuCard engages in an integrated program for total human development: political, economic and socio-cultural. According to former Mayor Urmatan, the coop organized by MuCard has become a venue for participatory discussion and has promoted understanding between members. Credibility through transparency and accountability founded on the philosophy of community cooperation, a strong familial spirit, warm and open relationships characterize the agency.
Negros Economic Development Foundation
With various projects in housing, micro-finance and agricultural technology transfer covering 22 municipalities and 10 cities from the northern tip to the southern tip of the province, it appears that NEDF has the whole province of Negros covered. The foundation serves sectors like the urban poor, women, indigenous people, small farmers, fisherfolk, agrarian reform beneficiaries, and local government units. The various programs reflect its response to the needs of the times, its love for Negros, and its heart and passion for the less privileged. Being around for 32 years, it has established strong and solid partnerships with the provincial and local government, other NGOs and funding institutions. NEDF has never been one to give dole-outs. It believes that the difference between the less privileged and those better off are the opportunities open to them. NEDF, therefore, seeks to give the less privileged the same opportunities.
(March 10, 2003 issue)
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