A case for nanoenterprises

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), there are nearly a million microenterprises in the Philippines. DTI considers any business with less than PhP3 million in assets and less than 10 employees as microenterprise.

The challenge with this classification in the social development perspective is that it lumps together poor and non-poor enterprises in one huge bucket. It attempts to describe a very broad base enterprises that have largely varied capacity in terms of management capacity, use of technology, access to finance, and general sophistication of products and services offered. 

Enterprise classification in the Philippines

 Assets# of employeesApproximate number
Large>PhP200M≥2005,000
Medium>PhP15 to PhP200M100 to 1995,000
Small>PhP3 to PhP1510 to 99106,000
Micro Up to PhP31 to 91,000,000

                       Source: Department of Trade and Industry

This paper intends to provide a case for nanoenterprises that is distinct and separate from microenterprises. The purpose is to aid in policy development for the government, as well as program intervention design and implementation of development organizations, so that their needs are addressed at its core.

The lowest asset base of a microenterprise in DTI’s definition is vague since it could mean as low as one peso or no asset at all. The microenterprise category is very important because this is where the poor belongs. However, microenterprises that have assets greater than a million pesos could not be classified as poor. 

What is a nanoenterprise?

Government policies and programs of development organizations can better respond to the needs of the poor belonging to the microenterprise sector if there is a clear delineation between poor and non-poor microenterprises. Poor mircoenterprises are rendered invisible since non-poor microenterprise needs are prioritized and is the basis for most policies, programs and engagement. 

Let us use nanoenterprises to refer to poor microenterprises. The table below shows the difference between a nano and microenterprise.

 NanoenterpriseMicroenterprise
AssetsPhP3,000 to PhP150K>PhP150K to PhP3M
Employees01 to 9
Enterprise registrationMostly unregisteredMostly registered
Approximate number8,100,0001,000,000

The Social Reform Agenda or Republic Act 8425 of 1998 defined a microenterprise with a maximum capitalization of PhP150,000. The same amount is set as the maximum amount for microfinance loans. This figure could be used as a good basis to separate nanoenterprises from microenterprises.

SEDPI proposes that PhP150,000 be used as the maximum asset size for nanoenterprises while those that exceed this but is less than PhP3 million would be classified as microenterprise. Nanoenterprises use rudimentary and obsolete equipment in manufacturing products or delivering services or they may have more advanced equipment that they lease. Microenterprises typically have better equipment and have ownership of these.

Nanoenterprises are typically unregistered livelihoods of self-employed individuals or informal solo-preneurs. They operate businesses alone or with the help of unpaid family members targeting their immediate local communities. Microenterprises are mostly registered enterprises able to hire employees albeit on a minimum wage rate.

As of March 2022, SEDPI estimates that the total outreach of microfinance is 9.1 mllion based on reports from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Cooperative Development Authority and Securities and Exchange Commission.[1] One will observe the gross underestimation DTIs 1 million microenterprises versus the 9.1 million microenterprises the microfinance industry serves. This is mainly because DTIs estimate is based on registered microenterprises that are mostly non-poor. Removing the one million microenterprises accounted for by DTI, that leaves the number of nanoenterprises to be at 8.1 million. 

Why nanoenterprises?

The sheer number of nanoenterprises as distinguished from microenterprises should make them more visible to the government and private sector. Most government programs fall under the banner of microenterprises, that grossly misrepresents the needs and largely excludes the magnitude of nanoenterprises. Thus making a concrete case to add nanoenterprises as the smallest size in classifying enterprises. 

As it is, nanoenterprises lack support from the government and has limited engagement with the private sector This is because they are lumped into the microenterprise sector that clearly have different profile, behavior and needs. Making nanoeterprises visible means more effective and customized policies and programs that should provide them the opportunity to grow into a more sustainable enterprise that would lift them out of poverty.

There are 30 million Filipinos considered as poor based on a survey the Department of Social Welfare and Development conducted in 2022.[2] Directly addressing the needs of the 8.1 million estimated nanoenterprise will reduce this number by 27% which is a great leap forward for a truly inclusive Philippine economic development.


[1] https://vincerapisura.com/philippine-microfinance-industry-estimates/

[2] https://www.rappler.com/nation/filipino-families-living-in-poverty-2022-dswd/#:~:text=MANILA%2C%20Philippines%20%E2%80%93%20There%20are%20over,Welfare%20and%20Development%20(DSWD).

The Role of the Private Sector in Supporting Populations Displaced by Disasters: The Case of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation

This paper is written by SEDPI Chairperson, Mr. Edwin M. Salonga.

You may download the copy of the whole article here:

The Role of the Private Sector in Supporting Populations Displaced by Disasters: The Case of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation

Edwin M. Salonga*[1]

Abstract

Considered an immediate impact of disasters, displacement is counterproductive to development as it affects human, economic, and environmental gains. With disaster displacement, private sector support becomes crucial at times when governments are overstretched. Businesses can be effective agents of change in building their own resilience and that of local communities. This paper takes a closer look at how the private sector plays a significant role in supporting populations displaced by disasters. It attempts to shed light on the experience of the Philippines by illustrating the case of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), which brings together private sector companies towards the achievement of its overarching goal of building resilience among businesses and communities in the country. This paper traces PDRF’s initiatives from inception to date. Moreover, it outlines key factors that contribute to PDRF’s success in designing and implementing development efforts to support local communities affected by disasters. Among these are its emphasis on building the disaster resilience of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), maintaining its political neutrality, building institutional partnerships, investing in emergency preparedness measures, and promoting innovative practices.

Keywords

Private sector, Displaced populations, Disaster resilience, PDRF

  1. Introduction

Displacement is a common and immediate impact of disasters (NRC 2020). It is counterproductive to development as it affects human, economic, and environmental gains. It can create new risks and worsen the existing vulnerabilities of certain groups such as women, children and youth, older people, persons with disabilities, and indigenous communities (ADB 2020; NRC 2020). Disasters continue to have adverse impacts on the lives, property, and livelihoods of numerous people across the globe. 

At a time when governments are already overstretched, private sector support becomes crucial. Businesses can have a positive contribution towards disaster recovery and mitigation (GFDRR 2020). Public-private partnership initiatives are becoming more common. Many businesses may compete commercially with one another, but there is a growing realization among them that their collective and concerted efforts on all phases of disaster management can benefit not only their own companies but also the communities where they operate (IRP 2016). Businesses are increasingly being engaged in resilience building at the local, national, and global levels. They are seen to be agents of change in building their own resilience and that of local communities (UNDP 2017). Instead of working only on DRR efforts that promote their self-interest, the private sector is investing on resilience building initiatives that grow businesses and promote sustainable development (Abe et al. 2019). 

It is therefore important to take a closer look at how the private sector can play a significant role in supporting populations displaced by disasters. This paper attempts to shed light on the experience of the Philippines by illustrating the case of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), which brings together private sector companies towards the achievement of its overarching goal of building resilience among businesses and communities. It is able to coordinate and consolidate private sector efforts for effective complementation of resources. This paper outlines key factors that contribute to its success in designing and implementing development efforts to support local communities affected by disasters. Among these are its emphasis on building the disaster resilience of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), maintaining its political neutrality, building institutional partnerships, investing in emergency preparedness measures, and promoting innovative practices.

  1. Methodology and structure of the paper

This paper seeks to analyze the role that the private sector plays in supporting populations displaced by disasters. It reviews key literature on disaster displacement and the way businesses extend assistance to affected communities. The search for Journal publications was conducted in September 2021. Additional information from reports, project documents, policy papers, news articles, and institutional publications were gathered in October 2021. A key contribution of this paper is the collation and analysis of existing literature on the initiatives of PDRF as a case to exemplify how businesses can work together in providing assistance to communities affected by disasters. The results arising from the literature search were complemented by institutional knowledge from PDRF top management. 

This paper is organized as follows. Section 1 presents the broad context on the importance of involving the private sector in humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction towards supporting populations displaced by disasters. Section 2 describes the methods employed in gathering information about disaster displacement, the role the private sector plays in supporting affected populations, and the development initiatives implemented in the Philippines by PDRF. Section 3 tackles the ways by which the private sector supports affected communities. Section 4 zooms in on the experience of the Philippines on disasters and displacement. Section 5 traces the initiatives of PDRF from its inception in 2009 until 2021. Section 6 discusses the unique features of PDRF as a model for generating private sector support for populations displaced by disasters. Lastly, Section 7 is about the conclusion that highlights key lessons that may be used to replicate PDRF’s model in other countries.

  1. Disasters, displacement, and private sector support to affected populations

Disasters often lead to the displacement of affected populations (NRC 2020). While some evacuees may be able to return relatively quickly after a hazard has abated, others may experience displacement for a protracted period to last for months or even years (Ponserre and Ginnetti 2019). Aside from disasters, conflicts and climate change further aggravate the situation of people at risk as each one intensifies the impact of the other (ISSAT 2020). Successful measures on disaster risk reduction limit how long people are displaced and help ensure displacement occurs in a dignified manner (NRC 2020).

The number of displaced people in recent years continues to rise. Data from the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre indicates around 40.5 million new displacements in 2020. This is the highest figure recorded in ten years, even with the Covid-19 pandemic that may have discouraged people from seeking emergency shelter outside their primary residence (IDMC 2021). It must be noted, however, that displacements may also be in the form of pre-emptive evacuations led by the government (IDMC 2020). As for the countries with the highest contributions to new internal displacements, China comes first with 5.1 million. The Philippines and Bangladesh come next with 4.4 million each (MDP 2021).

The private sector plays a significant role in reducing disaster losses and managing impacts to affected populations. Recent disaster management frameworks recognize this. The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 specifies that the private sector is among the actors concerned in protecting the social, economic, and environmental assets of communities and countries. It also highlights the importance of involving businesses on disaster prevention towards social and economic development (UNISDR 2005). Its successor, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, provides guidance on specific actions that the private sector can do to help achieve resilience and sustainable development. Its priorities for action highlight the need to bring in businesses for a holistic approach to disaster risk reduction (UNISDR 2015). The private sector is now regarded as a stakeholder in disaster risk reduction, especially as a partner of the government (Johnson and Abe 2015; Chandra et al. 2017; UNDP 2017; UNDRR 2019; GFDRR 2020).

While governments are viewed to be primarily responsible for preventing and responding to humanitarian needs, the private sector is seen to contribute a lot in reducing and managing disaster risks. Businesses provide financial and non-financial resources to help alleviate the impacts of disasters on affected communities (Connecting Business initiative 2019). In addition, the private sector is seen to make humanitarian responses quicker and more effective, especially those businesses with local presence that act as first responders (Fenton and Foley 2015). Some even expanded their roles from being donors and service providers to being commercial actors as they respond to humanitarian crises. Businesses are seen to facilitate growth and productivity for displaced people and their host communities (Boyer and Dupont 2016). Aside from generating jobs and livelihoods, private sector interventions in internal displacement situations may also be through the provision of goods and services, finance, and affordable housing (World Bank 2021). More importantly, the private sector is also seen to play an important role in disaster preparedness and coordination (ECHO 2017). A “whole-of-society” approach is recommended to ensure the participation of the displaced populations as well as the private sector towards the identification and achievement of lasting solutions (GP20 2020). 

  1. Disasters and displacement in the Philippines

Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is one of the most seismic countries in the world. It is also located in East Asia’s typhoon belt. Its unique topography exposes it to earthquakes, volcanic activity, tropical cyclones, storms, and floods that displace millions of people each year. In 2020, about 4.4. million new disaster displacements were recorded in the Philippines. This figure is the second highest in the world, only behind China. It must be noted that the Philippines is considered a rare example of a country where it is possible to obtain information about the way displacement evolves over time (Ponserre and Ginnetti 2019). Aside from disasters, conflict and instability in the southern part of the country also contribute to protracted displacement of people spanning decades (IDMC [no date]).

The Philippines consistently ranks among the countries in the world with the highest disaster risk in recent years, according to the World Risk Reports. In 2018, it was ranked third with a risk index value of 26.70. Out of 172 countries, the Philippines was only behind Vanuatu and Tonga (Heintze et al. 2018). It was ranked ninth in 2019 (Day et al. 2019). In 2020, it was again ranked ninth in the world with the highest disaster risk. Moreover, data shows that the Philippines was among the countries heavily affected by disasters that led to new significant internal displacement in the years of 2015 to 2019 (Behlert et al. 2020). With a risk index value of 21.39, it was ranked eighth in 2021 (Aleksandrova et al. 2021).

  1. PDRF initiatives

PDRF was formed in the wake of Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) in 2009, answering the call for private sector support in the provision of relief and response assistance to affected communities. It started with a five-pillar program consisting of development interventions in shelter; livelihood; education; environment; and water, infrastructure, sanitation and  health. Its model allowed corporations to participate in ways they are comfortable with. Aside from pooling their material and financial resources together, businesses also shared their expertise (Lucas 2014). It paved an avenue for businesses to be involved even in the implementation of early recovery measures. 

In 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) displaced approximately 4.1 million people and destroyed 1.1 million houses. PDRF initially deployed 50 “butterfly houses” made from eco-boards, consisting of 100 percent recycled materials. It also provided 150 indigenous housing facilities in various resettlement areas in Leyte (Philippine Daily Inquirer 2014). PDRF intensified its efforts to address the need for quality shelter and transitional housing facilities. In partnership with the local government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), it provided an additional 100 “butterfly houses” as transitional dwellings for affected communities in Tacloban (Desacada 2017). 

The crisis in Marawi, a city located on the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines, happened in March 2017. It displaced thousands of local families(UNHCR Philippines 2021). Arising from a study on the Marawi City water supply system, PDRF immediately committed to the construction of 12 water tanks, in an effort to augment the water needs of those staying in transitional shelters and evacuation camps (OCHA Philippines 2018b). In collaboration with other organizations, it worked on addressing the medical, water and sanitation, livelihoods, and education needs of the affected populations. In 2018, while PDRF supported the recovery efforts in Marawi, it also responded to the Mayon volcanic eruption in January, the Super Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) in September, and the Typhoon Rosita (Yutu) in October (OCHA and UNDP 2020). 

In total, PDRF and its partner companies were able to install 17 water tanks in underserved transitional shelter sites in 2018. These tanks provided more than 200,000 liters of clean water per day for affected communities (PDRF 2020). In addition, 10 underserved schools were given a 3,200-liter water tank each. Also part of the project was the community training on water management and hygiene to instill the value of water and how to use it sustainably (Daily Tribune2019). In addition, the project included the distribution of hygiene kits and the conduct of activities promoting proper hygiene (PDRF 2020). Understanding that jobs and livelihoods are important to wellbeing, PDRF supported the design and implementation of job fairs in Marawi. Among those that participated were local enterprises with an interest in supporting economic empowerment of the affected populations (Connecting Business initiative 2019). It must be noted, however, that while the displaced populations are still struggling to return to normalcy, the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbates their situation (UNHCR Philippines 2021).

The Covid-19 pandemic heightened the needs and vulnerabilities of internally displaced persons. Moreover, it impeded humanitarian efforts, delaying the delivery of lasting solutions (IDMC 2021). In cases like this, it is evident that local actors play a crucial role in ensuring that adequate assistance is given to those who need it the most. In the Philippines, the private sector actively mobilizes resources to support affected communities and augment the services provided by the government. 

When the Taal Volcano started to erupt in January 2020, PDRF sprang into action and immediately started its relief operation in Batangas. It provided face masks, sleeping kits, and bottled water to displaced families in five evacuation centers (PDRF 2021a). Response efforts lasted for months, well beyond the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. Despite the additional challenge brought about by restrictions in mobility, PDRF delivered essential food and non-food items to Batangas (NDRRM Operations Center 2021). It extended much-needed aid to the communities hardest-hit by the Taal volcano eruption in nine evacuation centers in Batangas. PDRF also deployed staff to repack and distribute hygiene kits, face masks, and other donated relief items to the affected communities (PDRF 2021b). Moreover, it began the construction of a multi-purpose facility in Batangas for people burdened by disasters and pandemics. It was designed to serve as a safe haven for those severely affected by the Taal Volcano and to help them prepare for future disasters. Aside from being an accessible and disaster-resilient structure that can protect the nearby population from the threat of existing hazards, the center may also be used for community programs and activities (The Manila Times 2021).

With the Covid-19 pandemic in the background, PDRF adjusted its operations to ensure continuous delivery of its services while following safety measures set by the government. It distributed food and non-food relief items to vulnerable sectors and provided millions of personal protective equipment and medical supplies to hospitals (PDRF 2021a). By mid-2020, PDRF was able to coordinate and implement various response efforts of its member companies. It raised close to 1.8 billion pesos worth of cash and in-kind donations through Project Ugnayan (National Task Force on COVID-19 2020). Project Ugnayan was a multi-sectoral, collaborative effort of the private sector, which aimed to provide unconditional emergency cash transfers to help economically-vulnerable families and address the food security needs of those affected by the enhanced community quarantine (PDRF 2021a). Through Project Ugnayan, PDRF was able to reach over 7.6 million people in vulnerable communities of the Greater Metro Manila Area (PLDT 2020). By the end of the year, PDRF was able to raise donations valued at 3 billion pesos (Presidential Management Staff 2020). 

Since its establishment, PDRF continues to mobilize, inform, and direct business involvement and contributions for disaster management. It engages the country’s largest businesses and MSMEs (CSR Asia 2015). To date, PDRF remains to be the country’s major private sector vehicle for disaster risk management.

  1. PDRF as a model for private sector support to displaced populations

The private sector plays a key role in supporting populations displaced by disasters. Using the PDRF as a model, there are a number of factors identified to contribute in its successful design and implementation of development initiatives. Among these are its emphasis on building the disaster resilience of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), maintaining political neutrality, building institutional partnerships, investing in emergency preparedness, and promoting innovation.

  • Strengthening disaster resilience

PDRF seeks to strengthen the disaster resilience of communities and businesses in the Philippines. With this as its overarching goal, PDRF is able to convene private sector companies to build their own disaster risk management capabilities and to contribute to the sustainable development of the Filipino people (PDRF [no date]). It is able to coordinate and consolidate private sector efforts for effective complementation of resources, especially as a means to augment the services provided by the government. It understands that disasters not only threaten the life of local populations, but also their livelihoods. For this reason, PDRF provides support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Nowadays, working with larger and more established companies is considered one of the most promising ways to upgrade small and medium enterprises in fragile and development contexts (Boyer and Dupont 2016). While most of its members are big companies, PDRF believes in the strength of the supply chain, with large companies linked with MSMEs. In just a few years, PDRF reached around 7,000 MSME owners throughout the Philippines with business continuity training (OCHA and UNDP 2019; UNDRR 2019). PDRF also offers technical support towards MSME resilience as it provides capacity-building interventions in an effort to build local competitiveness and sustainability (Philippines Humanitarian Country Team 2020). PDRF, with its UN partners, also developed SIKAP – or Synergizing Recovery Initiatives, Knowledge, and Adaptation Practices for MSMEs— a unified online business recovery hub to help enterprises affected by the pandemic (OCHA and UNDP 2020). Since 2017, PDRF has been supporting internally displaced populations in Marawi, extending capacity building sessions on financing and business recovery for MSMEs (OCHA and UNDP 2021).

Moreover, as part of the National MSME Resilience Core Group, PDRF is able to further strengthen its advocacy for MSMEs. Established in 2016, the National MSME Resilience Core Group (MSME-RCG) is a public-private partnership geared towards promoting the disaster and business resilience of enterprises in the country (DTI [no date]). Through the project “Strengthening MSME Disaster Resilience in the Philippines” the MSME-RCG was able to adopt a “National Roadmap and Action Plan on Strengthening Disaster Resilience” from a framework of the iPrepare Business facility of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC). The Philippine national roadmap and action plan has four (4) roadmap themes: Enhancing MSME general and disaster risk data; Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Business Continuity (BC) awareness and training; Tailored risk financing for MSMEs; and MSME inclusion in DRRM and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) policy, planning, and local institutions. The thematic areas aim to provide strategic direction on MSME program enablers’ plans and programs (Casado-Asensio et al. 2021). In 2019, the MSME RCG launched the MSME Guide to Disaster Resilience to serve as a reference material for MSMEs in understanding the basic concepts of disaster risk reduction and management, and business continuity practices (Mina 2019).

  • Maintaining political neutrality

Among the key attributes regarded to ensure its long-term sustainability is its political neutrality. PDRF was able to sustain funding from a diverse range of sources, with the majority coming from the private sector (CSR Asia 2015). Because of this, companies can aid affected communities across political lines (How the Philippines brought business into disaster recovery – GovInsider. 2017). PDRF deploys the assets of its member companies to support the needs of the communities. 

PDRF works to augment the capacities of the government (DSWD 2018). It believes that disaster management is not a responsibility of the government alone (PLDT 2020). Hence, it coordinates with the government to provide support by providing necessary resources such as fuel, machinery, and manpower (JICA 2017). Known to be self-reliant in terms of resource mobilization, through PDRF and other actors the private sector is integrated in the coordination, design, and actual implementation of humanitarian action in the country (Philippines Humanitarian Country Team 2020).

  • Building institutional partnerships

PDRF recognizes that institutional partnerships are important in sustaining its efforts to help communities affected by disasters. In 2018, PDRF signed a memorandum of agreement (MOU) with the  Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to extend help to disadvantaged populations (DSWD 2018). Under the MOU, PDRF commits to provide capacity augmentation on disaster operations, public service continuity, and interventions along disaster resiliency. The MOU seeks to strengthen public-private partnerships towards inclusive development in the country (de Vera-Ruiz 2018). 

Together with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), PDRF developed the Public Service Continuity Planning (PSCP) guidebook, which is a step-by-step guide that focuses on the development of an agency-specific public service continuity plan. It seeks to ensure that any agency is able to withstand disruptive events and continue to operate and sustain the delivery of public service (Tebrio 2020). The PSCP Guidebook was initiated as part of the PSCP Program, which was co-developed through the partnership of OCD and PDRF in 2017. This was formally institutionalized through the NDRRMC Memorandum No. 33, s. 2018 which enjoined government agencies, both on the national and local levels, to develop and implement their own public service continuity plans (Florano 2020). PDRF, through the creation of the PSCP Program aims to contribute to the strengthening of the country’s overall resilience, consistent with its advocacy that both public and private sectors are the key actors in ensuring continuity of operations and critical services.

  • Investing in emergency preparedness

The Philippines is considered among the only few countries wherein time series displacement data may be obtained. The analysis of such data reveals the impacts of disaster preparedness and response measures (Ponserre and Ginnetti 2019). Aside from its disaster response and recovery efforts, PDRF also focuses on disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness (CSR Asia 2015; OCHA Philippines 2018a). This is rooted in the belief among the business leaders behind PDRF that large-scale calamities are now the norm in the Philippines, being a disaster-prone country (Lucas 2014). 

PDRF plays a lead role in business continuity awareness and capacity-building (UNDRR 2019). PDRF also has its own e-learning platform on disaster risk reduction, business continuity, and climate change adaptation that it calls Innovations Academy for Disaster Awareness, Preparedness, and Training (iADAPT). It aims to prepare communities against disasters (Aguinaldo 2020). Moreover, PDRF also believes that the private sector has a role to play in fighting the effects of climate change and helping reverse it (Quismorio 2021).

  • Promoting innovation

The private sector can promote innovation by sharing lessons and good practices, especially on how to support displaced populations (Connecting Business initiative 2019). Businesses may likewise provide innovative products and services (ISSAT 2020). Considered among its innovative practices is the establishment of PDRF’s emergency operations center (EOC). It believes that there must be an efficient way of providing relief goods and responding to the needs of the populations affected by disasters. Effective coordination means partnering not just among businesses but also with governments and development-oriented organizations (Trajano 2016). Its EOC has an operations room that combines location software, data sources, and weather information. It is regarded as the world’s first national EOC run by the private sector. Its central feature is the command center that monitors earthquakes, tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions, and pandemics (PLDT 2018). 

PDRF’s EOC acts as a self-sufficient operations hub for training on disaster preparedness and the coordination of relief and response efforts during major disasters (OCHA and UNDP 2019). It has 24/7 capability and continues to monitor hazards and coordinate help to the areas and populations affected by disasters. Radios and satellite equipment are prepositioned to ensure that it will continue to operate even during worst case scenarios. For the EOC’s disaster information management system, its main tool is the Hazard and Disaster Analysis for Business Resilience or HANDA, which is also a local term that means ready. Among the features of HANDA are the following: real-time hazard monitoring for tropical cyclones and earthquakes; access to historical and probabilistic data for risk assessment; and highly customizable dashboards for data visualization. These features provide the necessary data and tools for the stakeholders in PDRF’s network to make informed decisions (Philippine private sector provides logistics support for Typhoon Ompong relief operations – Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation. 2018).

The EOC may be used to support local and national governments as well as local and international development organizations (Philippines Humanitarian Country Team 2020). Moreover, it provides alerts and updates to PDRF member companies to coordinate asset inventory and the status of lifeline services. These greatly complement government efforts and highlight private sector initiatives in all aspects of disaster risk reduction and management (PLDT 2020). It maps data on lifeline services and public infrastructure to help protect them from hazards (PLDT 2018). Since the EOC lets its member companies coordinate with other donors, among the initiatives it can do is to direct the electricity suppliers to provide emergency power to people most in need (How the Philippines brought business into disaster recovery – GovInsider. 2017).

  1. Conclusion

The private sector plays a key role in supporting populations displaced by disasters. Using PDRF as the case to examine the ways by which businesses can extend assistance to affected populations, this paper provides an analysis of key factors that contributed to the success of its development initiatives. The private sector needs to be involved in all aspects of disaster risk management. Businesses can contribute not only in relief, response, and early recovery measures once disasters strike. More importantly, they can be involved in disaster risk reduction and preparedness efforts. 

There are plenty of ways for the private sector to support populations displaced by disasters. To be effective, there are lessons that may be learned from PDRF’s experience. First, it was important to anchor its advocacy on an overarching goal of strengthening the resilience of business and communities against disasters. This served as the unifying call for private sector companies to come together and help out one another as well as those adversely affected by disasters, including MSMEs. Second, it was crucial for PDRF to maintain its political neutrality. Aside from independence in designing and implementing its development initiatives, political neutrality also allowed PDRF to extend support to localities most in need. Third, institutional partnerships were instrumental in sustaining its efforts. Despite personnel changes among its partners, PDRF was able to move forward with its programs. Fourth, investments were made towards emergency preparedness. PDRF offered capacity building interventions to its member companies and to local communities to prepare them against disasters. Fifth, PDRF promoted innovation with its establishment of an EOC. Aside from providing alerts and updates to its member companies, the EOC also supported other organizations in an effort to mitigate risks and to provide support where it was needed.

Given the limited scope of this paper that focuses only on the Philippine experience in the examination of the role of the private sector in supporting populations displaced by disasters, it is recommended for further studies to be undertaken. Nevertheless, PDRF may be used as a model to initiate or improve the ways businesses are engaged in providing assistance to populations affected by disasters. 

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[1] Edwin M. Salonga

   Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)

   edwin.salonga@adpc.net

   +639989923210

1 out of 4 nanoenterprises adopted online selling in response to lockdowns

At least one out of four nanoenerprises are now either selling their products online, or are buying products to be sold in their local communities to cope with granular lockdowns imposed by local government units. Out of 7,675 respondents, 26% sold products and 29% bought supplies online, to augment their livelihood operations.

Nanoenterprise is a SEDPI-coined term that refers to unregistered livelihoods of self-employed individuals that have capitalization of less than PhP50,000 to operate. SEDPI estimates that the vast majority of entrepreneurial poor in the Philippines are nanoenterprises, numbering around 8 million.

Nano level risk diversification

More than half of the respondents or 52% also claimed that they added other kinds of livelihoods in response to the pandemic. Nanoenterprises refer to this as “diskarte” to be able to survive the negative economic impact of the pandemic. Diskarte is the ability to use creativity and resourcefulness to respond to challenges and adversities.

Nanoenterprises involved in the agricultural sector were better able to weather the pandemic compared to their non-agri counterparts. Eighty nine percent of the respondents said that those with farms were able to adjust and fair better.

Farming households were able to harvest produce for consumption. The surplus farm produce were then sold in local markets through ambulant vending and online selling. This resulted in reduced expenses for food and at the same time provided ample additional income

Status of nanoenterprises

A year after the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) imposed in the whole country, all

nanoenterprises reported that they already resumed operations. At the peak of the ECQ last year, 69% of them stopped operations which prompted the government to distribute cash assistance.

As of March 2021, four out of ten respondents said that they have fully recovered from the negative economic impact of the pandemic; while 55% said that it will take them up to 2 months more, before they get back to their pre-pandemic levels.

During the first quarter of the year most areas in the country were under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), the lowest quarantine level imposed by the Philippine government. These reinvigorated the local economy due to ease in the flow of goods and mobility of customers.

 

Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI)

SEDPI provides capital to nanoenterprises through joint ventures to approximately 10,000 low-income households in Agusan del Sur, Davao de Oro and Surigao del Sur. Its members also benefit from life insurance as well as medical and disaster relief assistance through damayan. SEDPI also partnered with SSS and Pag-IBIG to bring social safety net programs of the government closer to nanoenterprises in rural areas.

This research is part of a series of rapid community assessments that determines the economic impact of COVID-19 to nanoenterprises. SEDPI began the research last March 2020. This latest update was conducted on April 2021 to cover the first quarter of 2021.

The 7,695 respondents is not a representative sample of the entire Philippines. It is highly localized to SEDPI members. However, this is a good case study that reflects the situation of nanoenterprise and the local economy in the countryside. SEDPI believes that the nationwide picture is not far from its research results.

Summary of findings:

  • Out of 7,675 SEDPI nanoenterprise respondents 26% sold products and 29% bought supplies online to augment their livelihood operations
  • 100% are resumed livelihood operations a year after the hard lockdown
  • 52% added other kinds of livelihoods in response to the pandemic
  • 89% said that those with farms were able to adjust and fair better
  • 40% fully recovered from the negative impact of the pandemic
  • 55% said it will take them up to 2 months more before they get back to their pre-pandemic levels

Previous rapid community assessment updates. The titles are hyperlinked. Click on the titles to full read article online.

ARBOs Remain Covid-free

Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBO) in Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur Provinces remain covid free. This is the result of the ARBO covid-19 quick assessment conducted by SEDPI on April 20-24, 2020.

While some ARBOs have completely stopped operations, 36% or ten (10) out of twenty-eight (28) participating ARBOs continue to provide services to farmers in their communities. These services include irrigation, farm machinery rental, catfish culture, animal dispersal, and farm monitoring.

ARBO farmer members still manage their individual farms. However, due to the strict implementation of the community quarantine, senior citizen farmers are unable to do so.

 

 

Pambansang Mananalon, Mag-uuma, Magbabaul, Magsasakang Pilipinas, Inc. Farmers Association (P4MP-FA) of Upper Katungal in Tacurong City, reported that they have temporarily stopped their microfinance services since members failed to pay their dues due to the lockdown. At the same time, the farmers’ economic activity is put on hold because of restrictions in selling produce and other goods in the market.

 

 

One ARBO in Sarangani, Alkikan Vegetables Growers Association (ALVEGA), continues to consolidate vegetables funnelling it to a local bagsakan and a huge grocery in General Santos City. On the other hand, Upper Biangan Farmers Association (UBFA) who offers micro insurance services has twice provided relief goods and cash assistance to their members. Only three (3) of the twenty-eight (28) ARBOs have received assistance as an organization from their local barangay and municipal government.

During this quarantine period, some ARBO members in Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur have volunteered in the Bantay Covid initiatives of their barangays by manning border outposts.

 

 

Update 3: Community assessment and recommendations for support to microenterprises and the informal sector during and after COVID-19

SEDPI is a group of social enterprises that provide capacity building and social investments to development organizations and directly to microenterprises. We serve ~8,000 microenterprises in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, two of the poorest provinces in the Philippines.

Most of our members, about nine in 10, are women with an average age of 42. These women are typically into vending, farming, fishing, dress making, selling food, and livestock backyard raising.

Community assessments

Every week, since the community quarantine was imposed on March 15, 2020; SEDPI conducted community assessment research with its members. These were conducted on March 15, March 30, April 5 and April 14; through rapid survey via text messaging and calls with our members.

The rapid community assessment aims to determine the economic impact of COVID-19 on our members and to have a clearer picture of what transpires on the ground. We asked our members the following:

  • Status of their livelihood – unaffected, weakened or stopped
  • Experience symptoms of COVID-19
  • Access to government assistance
  • Support needed after the community quarantine

Impact of COVID-19 to microenterprises and informal sector

All microenterprises were negatively affected due to COVID-19. Immediately after the community quarantines were announced, 34% of microenterprises stopped their livelihood. After two weeks this spiked to 51% and slightly recovered to 41% after a month of lockdown.

Some microenterprises reopened their livelihood because they need to earn income to have enough budget to buy rice at the minimum. They sourced locally-available inputs to do this and were able to sell banana cue, camote cue, cassava cake and rice cakes among others.

Majority of microenterprises or 59% reported that their livelihood weakened. Of which, 59% and 31% reported significant and severe weakening of livelihoods resepectively.

Supply chain disruption; inability to deliver goods and services; and prohibition to open non-essential businesses were the main reasons given for stopping or weakning of their livelihoods. With families having to stay home and most business remain closed, there are very few buyers of their products and services. Most barangays prohibit entry of non-residents which prevent others from going to work.

Exposure to COVID-19

An encouraging finding in the rapid community assessment is that only 2 of the 6,071 respondents are persons under monitoring. This may be a positive sign that the community quarantine is effective in containing the rapid spread of the virus.

The quarantine period was extended to April 30 and the question now is how much longer can the poor endure its negative effects to their livelihoods. Many of them are saying that they might die first of hunger before getting infected with COVID-19.

Access to government assistance

It is important to consider the well-being of low-income groups and provide them with enough economic support and social safety nets during this quarantine period. The government’s cash assistance and emergency relief is very much needed on the ground to help them survive.

Only one of ten microenterprises or 11% were able to receive cash assistance; and 60% received relief goods from the government as of April 14. This is an improvement of 1% and 17% respectively from the previous week showing marginal improvement in access to government assistance.

Those who received cash assistance got PhP3,000 to PhP4,000. Most of them received PhP3,600 cash assistance through the 4Ps program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Relief goods received were composed of rice, canned goods and soap. Most of those who received these said that the supply will only last them for 1-2 days. Most of the respondents or 82% also expressed that the PhP5,000 cash assistance will not be enough to cover their daily needs in the next two months.

Recommendations during community quarantine

Hasten government cash assistance and relief

The government needs to hasten release of cash assistance and relief goods to microenterprises and the informal sector. These will alleviate their burden and enable them to survive the community quarantine.

Prohibit interest accrual on MSEs loans

Interest accrual for loan of micro and small enterprises during the quarantine period should be prohibited. On April 3, Ateneo-SEDPI Microfinance Capacity Building program released a position paper regarding this.

The continued charging of interest during community quarantine is socially unjust since this gives additional burden to microenterprise and small enterprises at a time when they can barely survive. This is an unnecessary additional expenses that will make their lives even harder during the rebuilding and recovery phase.

Mass testing

Prioritize mass testing to suspect and probable COVID-19 individuals who belong to low income groups, especially in urban centers, where spaces are cramped and transmission could happen faster.

Free testing services should be provided to make sure that transmission in low-income groups is prevented and managed properly. Local government units should have isolation areas for PUIs and PUMs to prevent the spread of the disease in rural and urban poor communities.

Recommendations immediately after community quarantine

The rapid community assessment showed that 77% of respondents request for cash assistance to restart their livelihood after the community quarantine. Many of the members or 35% would still need relief goods, especially food, immediately after the quarantine and A few or 12% need work to have source of income.

 

 

Cash assistance to restart livelihoods through MFIs

Request for cash assistance to restart livelihoods should be coursed through microfinance institutions (MFIs) to eliminate dole-out mentality. The cash assistance should be given, at the minimum, as 0% loans to microenterprises and the informal sector.

MFIs are well positioned to provide this intervention since they would need to support the rebooting of the livelihoods of their client base. The cash assistance will be collected alongside restructuring of existing loans of clients so that financial service delivery will continue.

Bail out MFIs

MFIs access funds from commercial banks and government financial institutions that they extend as microcredit to low income groups. Based on the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor’s (CGAP) estimate, an 85% repayment rate in MFIs would only have sufficient cshflow to last in the ext six months.

The impact of the pandemic will surely negatively impact repayment rates of MFIs. Based on the figures of those negatively affected, SEDPI estimates that it repayment rates in the next three months after the quarantine period may hit as low as 20% to 30%. Due to this, most MFIs will experience liquidity problems.

Government should intervene and infuse capital in the form of equity to MFIs to fund the proposed cash assistance intended to restart microenterprise livelihoods. Another way of doing this is to temporarily convert debt obligations of MFIs from commercial banks and especially from government financial institutions to equity to ease pressure in debt repayments.

MFIs will eventually pay this equity back to the government, perhaps event at a premium, once they recover from the crisis. SEDPI strongly suggests moving away from debt-based development assistance since interest will ultimately be passed on as additional burden to microenterprises and the informal sector.

This strategy is similar to the bailout of governments to large financial institutions during the 2008 financial crisis. If governments are willing to bail out large corporations, they should also be willing to do the same to MFIs that directly help those at the bottom of the pyramid.

Pay for work programs

Development organizations and government should provide pay-for-work programs to spur local economic development. This will create temporary employment and give purchasing power that will augment efforts to restart of livelihoods.

0% SSS and Pag-IBIG calamity loans

Microenterprises and informal sector who are members of SSS and Pag-IBIG could benefit from the calamity loans offered. Per published policy of these two organizations, members are allowed to borrow calamity loans against their personal contributions.

The interest rate for calamity loan is 5.95% for Pag-IBIG and 10% for SSS. It is highly recommended to bring the interest on the calamity loans to 0%, since these are drawn from personal contributions of members anyway.

Recommendations for the long term

Ease in access to identity documents

Access to government basic services starts with identity. The Philippine Statistics Authority should streamline processes for low-income groups to get government identification documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and licenses.

Greater financial inclusion

It is also important to focus more on financial inclusion to make sure that bank accounts are opened for all low-income families so that they can easily access cash transfers and cash relief in times of disaster. This will ensure that funds truly land in the pockets of low-income groups, and could potentially reduce corruption and patronage politics.

Universal disaster insurance

It is also high time to have universal disaster insurance since the Philippines ranks high in the World Risk Index. This will make us better prepared for disasters and pandemics in the future.

The scheme will provide funds to affected communities, especially low income groups, to cope with the disaster and to rebuild livelihoods. Having disaster insurance will eliminate the need for low income groups to beg for government assistance from politicians.

Tap vast network of MFIs

Microfinance institutions are rooted well in communities and have vast networks that penetrate even the most remote areas. This makes them suitable for information dissemination as well as for distribution of government assistance.

Prioritize support and assistance to the bottom of the pyramid

We may be already enjoying the positive effect of the commuity quarantine to prevent the sudden spread of COVID-19. However, its negative economic impact especially to vulnerable sectors such as microenterprises and the informal sector, is undeniable.

To sustain and complement the gains of the quarantine, priority and free mass testing to low income groups is needed. This will hopefully flatten and at the same time shorten the curve.

Government should hasten delivery of cash and relief assistance to low income groups to alleviate the burden of low income groups. MFIs could complement barangay level legwork for information dissemination and distribution of government assistance with its vast network and penetration in rural areas.

To ease the economic burden of low income groups, the government should stay true to the intent and spirit of the Bayanihan Act, that prohibit accrual of interest and other fees during the quarantine period.

Immediately after the quarantine period, to help jumpstart the economy, the government could provide pay for work programs; and provide cash assistance to microenterprises through MFIs. It could bailout MFIs to ensure continued delivery of much needed microfinance services to the poor.

The proposed 0% calamity loans of Pag-IBIG and SSS could provide much needed relief to microenterprises and the informal sector. In the longer term, structural challenges could be addressed through providing ease in access to identity documents, broader financial inclusion, and universal disaster insurance.

When we channel resources to help microenterprises and the informal sector, we make our nation better poised to recover faster from the negative effects of COVID-19.

Coops learn about proper client selection

Choosing the right clients is one of the major factors in a successful microfinance business. Proper client selection will make microfinance institutions avoid several delinquency problems and will surely save a lot of their time and efforts in the future.

For the second day of the credit competency training with seven credit cooperatives from Northern Luzon, the discussions focused on proper client selection. The training was held in Northview Hotel, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on February 19, 2020. The training aims to reduce delinquency and improve collection to ensure financial sustainability.

In the discussions, the credit cooperatives learned about cashflow lending, credit and background investigation, client rating system, principles and methods of collection, and delinquency task force.

The first session inculcated in the participants the importance of knowing their clients’ cashflow. The participants filled out a sample cash flow while the lead discussant stressed the importance of taking into account all sources of income, as diversified income is key in mitigating the risks involved in agricultural finance. They also discussed the preparation of farm budget.

Succeeding session elaborated on the importance of a thorough credit and background investigation (CI/BI), as this can prevent a lot of delinquency problems. The trainer clarified that CI/BI is the appraisal not only of a prospective borrower’s ability but also his or her willingness to repay a loan.

The trainers presented a client rating system (CRS) which the participants found very useful and worth replicating. In fact, Mr. Charleston Dulay of ACPC said that the CRS can be used as a standard rating system of the credit cooperatives. “We thank the trainers for providing us a lot of tools that the cooperatives can use for their agri-input financing,” he added.

The participants also enjoyed a role-play activity where they were able to act as collectors and borrowers. The activity was followed by a discussion on the principles and methods of collection. After the role-play and the discussion, everyone agreed that the credit cooperatives must have savings and insurance products to prevent delinquency.

Before concluding the day, the trainers discussed the delinquency task force and shared to the participants some information on legal procedures for non-paying debtors. The trainers, however, ultimately discourages litigation and reminds the participants that this must be a last resort in solving delinquency problems.

Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI) was the successful bidder for this project under the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC). This was the first of six batches that were also held in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal and Laguna.

Coops trained on risk management & financial management

An important part of addressing delinquency for cooperatives is risk management — a systemic approach that includes identification and prioritization of risks, and implementation of strategies to mitigate the risks. This approach entails both the prevention of potential problems and early detection of actual problems of cooperatives.

Risk management is the focus of the third day of the credit competency training of seven credit cooperatives from Northern Luzon. The training was held in Northview Hotel, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on February 20, 2020. The training aims to reduce delinquency and improve collection to ensure financial sustainability for cooperatives.

The cooperatives were trained on loan administration strategies, understanding risk management, understanding financial analysis, and measures of financial analysis.

For the loan administration strategies, the participants were asked to answer a questionnaire on delinquency prevention measures. The scores they got from the test have corresponding indications in their organization’s systems and policies on preventing delinquency. Most of the participants fell under the rating which indicates that they may be in a delinquency crisis.

To address their delinquency crisis, the cooperatives received important loan promotion and application tips and strategies from the trainers. The cooperatives learned the importance of highlighting incentives to clients as a result of flawless repayment behavior in loan promotion. They also learned to put emphasis on character and repayment behavior when administrating loan applications.

On the risk management topic, the participants were engaged in an activity where they were asked to illustrate the risk management process. They then discussed the four types of microfinance risks including financial management, operational, institutional, and external risks, and how to assess and approach each. The cooperatives learned about keys to effective risk management as well as the nine rules of risk management. The trainer reminded the participants that risk management is an ongoing process because vulnerabilities change over time.

For the financial management training, the trainers stressed on the significance of financial analysis in making financial decisions and achieving the goals of sustainability. The participants were able to review the basic financial statements and the importance of each.

To further strengthen and support the participants’ understanding of financial analysis, the trainers also discussed the measures of financial analysis. The participants’ active sharing of their actual experiences beefed up the discussion and made everyone able to take home valuable lessons.

Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI) was the successful bidder for this project under the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC). This was the first of six batches that were also held in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal and Laguna.

Sir Vince Rapisura trains coops on shields to delinquency, remedial management

For cooperatives who face a lot of risks, financial shields to delinquency must always be in place. Remedial management must also be employed to prevent the occurrence of, and bring about prompt and satisfactory conclusions to problem accounts.

The final sessions of the credit competency training with seven credit cooperatives from Northern Luzon were handled by SEDPI president and microfinance expert Vince Rapisura. The training was held in Northview Hotel, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on February 21, 2020. The training aims to reduce delinquency and improve collection to ensure financial sustainability.

Participants were able to learn about financial shields to delinquency, remedial management and growth strategies, and the SEDPI microfinance model.

Sir Vince discussed the financial shields to delinquency, mainly insurance, savings as collateral, share capital as collateral, and loan loss reserve. The participants learned about the best practices of SEDPI such as using savings as collateral and making clients save 20% of their loan amount.

He also shared that SEDPI writes off loans annually but encourages its financial inclusion officers to keep collecting written off amounts by making 50% of these collections included in their bonuses. In this way, SEDPI is hitting two birds in one stone: still able to collect written off loans while its staff remains high in morale.

The next discussion was concerned on the remedial management and growth strategies. Sir Vince discussed default events: payment, covenant, representation, insolvency, and seizure defaults. The participants were trained on major remedial management strategies including restructured loans, refinanced loans, and other workout remedial strategies including compromise settlement, assignment of receivables, penalties or other charges, liquidation, and litigation.

SEDPI does not restructure loans since this gives additional interest for the clients. He also emphasized that in refinancing loans, where you will give more loans for the business to continue, a thorough reinvestigation is necessary since this might indicate that there was an error in your previous analysis on the amount needed for the business of the client.

Participants learned that the remedial strategy for portfolio-at-risk is reduction of arrears and growth of portfolio.

Sir Vince shared the SEDPI microfinance model and elaborated on SEDPI’s partnership with SSS and Pag-IBIG. He said that, “We partnered with Pag-IBIG and SSS because we believe that we need to collaborate with these institutions to eradicate poverty; we partnered with them to provide services to poor populations.”

Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI) was the successful bidder for this project under the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC). This was the first of six batches that were also held in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal and Laguna.

The trainings were successful with several good feedback from the participants. SEDPI puts lots of its hopes in these trainings as it is not only equipping the cooperatives with necessary knowledge and skills, it also serves as an avenue where the cooperatives, together with SEDPI, strengthen their commitment in the vision of eradicating poverty and ultimately, in increasing the quality of life for the farmers.

Promoting social investments: Ateneo and SEDPI conducts training of trainers for social investors

Ateneo and SEDPI reached another milestone in their partnership with the implementation of a training of trainers program that aims to develop trainers to promote social investments. Social investments are investments that generate profits as well as social and environmental gains.

The training of trainers for social investors was held in different major cities around the world: Milan, Rome, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Tokyo, Singapore, Doha, Madrid, and Barcelona. A total of 223 participants attended the training.

To be certified, participants must be able to provide at least 80 hours of volunteer work, participate in social investments and must be financially stable. This is to ensure that trainers on social investments practice what they preach and have a wealth of experience they can share during conduct of trainings.

All those who pre-qualified to attend the training of trainers for social investments program were given a scholarship since the registration fee of PhP25,000 was waived. Participants only shared rhe cost of the venue, materials and meals during the training which amounted to USD70.

Those who will be able to fulfull the requirements of the program will receive certification from the Ateneo de Manila University and will also have the opportunity to become accredited as one of SEDPI’s pool of trainers for social investments.

“The training of trainers for social investors is SEDPI’s way of combating investment scams and also provide alternative investment products to the public,” Vince Rapisura, SEDPI President said. “It is our hope that social investing becomes the standard practice in generating wealth,” he added.

SEDPI and Ateneo looks forward to mount more training of trainers worldwide that will reach beyond the Filipino community.

SEDPI management staff undergo knowledge and skills upgrade

In order to deliver its programs to eradicate poverty, SEDPI continues to invest in its people that emabke them to deliver excellence-driven and innovative products and services.

Foray in socialized housing

One of the major programs of SEDPI is socialized housing that aims to provide affordable and disaster-resilient houses to low income groups. It’s President, Vince Rapisura and Rez Oafallas, admunistrative manager attended a course on real estate and construction management with the Urban Planning Institute held at the Asian Institute of Management.

The course provides basic knowledge in managing housing projects to SEDPI which aims to build at least 100 socialized houses by 2021.

Strengthening AMLA compliance

The administrative staff of received a training on the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA). This is a very important training as it plays a huge role in preserving the integrity of the staff, especially that the job in SEDPI requires the staff to frequently deal with financial transactions.

Policies and procedures were developed, based on learning from the training, to ensure that all transactions are above board and are compliant with government rules and regulations.

Shift from microfinance to social finance

Last June 2019, SEDPI president Vince Rapisura and CEO Dimples Sacdalan-Pateño went on study visits to Italy and United Arab Emirates for the technical assistance and support to the micro-finance sub-component of the Italian Agrarian Reform Community Development Support Program (IARCDSP).

They underwent advanced training for the project specifically on guarantees, agricultural financing in Italy and Islamic finance in the UAE. These trainings were instrumental for SEDPI to transform its microfinance operations to social finance.

Social finance utilizes cost plus through joint ventures that prohibits compounding of interest as well as excessive penalties. SEDPI views its clients as partners in development and should therefore be given rewards and incentives for good performance; and a clear path for recovery and behavioral change if they become delinquent.

Innovations on pro-poor financial service delivery

SEDPI’s staff in Mindanao were given trainings on character and capacity-based lending, basic accounting delinquency management, ethical financing, product design and development and fundamentals and principles of microfinance. The series of trainings were intended to ensure that only pro-poor advice and services on money management are extended to projects in the area.

The organization currently provides capacity building interventions to agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat. Direct pro-poor financial services are extended in the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur where 7 branches of SEDPI operate.

Onboarding with Pag-IBIG and SSS

With SEDPI inking of partnership with SSS and Pag-IBIG, series of onboarding training and orientations wert conducted to its management staff in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. This is to ensure that proper information reach SEDPI end clients and to ensure that quality services are delivered.

Disability awareness

With the aim to increase sensitivity and awareness on the plight of persons with disability,  management staff received disability awareness training from Humanity and Inclusion.

Moving forward

As SEDPI further expands to deliver social finance and serve more development organizations, it will continue investing in its people. It treats its people as one of the key ingredients to success.