CARD MRI launches a book about its impact to the country

The Philippine-based social development organization, CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) launches a book entitled “Three Decades of Serving the Poor: Imprint of CARD to its staff, clients and communities, and Philippine Microfinance Industry” at CARD-MRI Development Institute, Inc. (CMDI) Bay Campus in Laguna on April 22, 2017.

The book captured CARD MRI’s impact to its staff, clients, and communities, and its contributions to the microfinance industry for 30 years of helping the underprivileged Filipino families improve their lives.

“For 30 years, we have been serving the marginalized sector in our country. We wanted to see the changes CARD MRI brought to these people and all the people behind the success of CARD,” Ms. Flordeliza Sarmiento, the CARD MRI Managing Director, said.

The book and its authors

The chapter authored by Dr. Antoinette B. Bolaños, a consultant of various non-profit organizations, discussed the imprints of CARD MRI in its staff.  Bolaños’ chapter says that the professional development, promotions, and experiences from the organization sharpen the staff’s personalities, widen their career outlook, and improve their economic status.

“CARD MRI invests on its staff to have a heart of helping the poor and preserve its mission of eradicating poverty in the country,” Ms. Sarmiento said.

Dr. Mimosa Cortez-Ocampo, a two-time recipient of the CARD MRI Professorial Chair Award, and Mr. Pedro Ocampo, a former consultant on non-livestock matters with FAO, World Bank, ADB, national organizations and group,  presented the result of CARD MRI’s impact on its clients and communities. In their study, CARD MRI is perceived to create major positive change in the lives of the clients. Majority of the respondents felt more empowered through the assistance of the organization.

In its thrust to assist its clients to establish their own business, CARD MRI was also able to provide growth in the local economy as their clients’ businesses promote economic activities in their local communities. CARD clients’ enterprises created jobs and additional goods and services. Thus, increasing revenues of the local government units.

In the chapter documented by Lalaine Joyas, an Independent Microfinance Consultant, and June Frances Hamoy, a Mass Communication graduate from UP Cebu and working in NGOs that contribute to social development, CARD MRI played a significant role in the evolution of the Philippine microfinance industry. CARD MRI’s innovations, best practices, conducive regulatory environment, development of micro insurance, human capital development, and knowledge sharing platform are some of its contributions in the industry.

The book launch was graced by Senator Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, Mr. Washington SyCip, international and local partners of CARD MRI, staff, and clients.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez shared that Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, the founder and Chairman of CARD MRI, focuses on one thing and “that is how to uplift the lives of the poor. And if you have this kind of passion and vision, you can really reach more of your goals. And this is what we are seeing now. CARD MRI is a role model to many institutions.”

“CARD has been an important part of our lives. We saw how CARD grew and we saw how the leadership also evolved and we saw how many of your partners also grew with you. CARD has reached numerous Filipinos far beyond the expectations of many other groups. And I think CARD will continue to grow with the next leaders. The story of CARD is a story of trust,” said Senator Aquino.

CARD MRI is an organization that aims to eradicate poverty in the country through its financial and non-financial products such as health, education programs, livelihood and other capacity building programs.

To date, CARD MRI has more than 4.2 million clients nationwide and is targeting eight million outreach and 40 million insured individuals by 2020.