CARD MRI announces expansion in ARMM

CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), a group of social development institutions in the Philippines, will expand its operation this year in ARMM particularly in Shariff Aguak, Datu Paglas, Pagalungan, Pikit, and Mamasapano.

“CARD is expanding in the area since people have limited access or have lack of access to financial and non-financial services. With the planned expansion, we hope to provide them with products and services to help them implement their livelihood projects and other social development programs. This is CARD’s way of helping the country in nation building and our share to the government’s peace building process,” states Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, founder and managing director of CARD MRI during his two-day visit in North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat last week. Jonathan Pondevida, OIC-Regional Director assigned in North Cotabato was with Dr. Alip during his visit.

CARD MRI expects to double up the number of clients served especially in providing non-financial services such as health services, education programs, livelihood trainings, and microinsurance products. This is to further uphold and intensify its holistic approach in uplifting socio-economically challenged people towards a sustainable change.

As part of the expansion plan, a community health fair will be done this month together with one of CARD MRI’s partner in MFIs for Health, ASA Philippines. Both institutions will bring with them doctors and nurses to provide health care to the residents of the said expansion areas.

To date, CARD MRI has reached over three million poor families nationwide. CARD, Inc., a member of CARD MRI, which will lead the expansion in the said areas has 315, 370 clients in the whole of Mindanao of which 40, 833 are from the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City covering 65 municipalities. CARD MRI has been operating in Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan since 2007 and has maintained a near perfect repayment in these areas up to this day.