Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc.

Pulilan LGU Adopts Mobile Money

by Denise Subido

Today’s world is made smaller and more convenient through the use of technology. What was once impossible or inconvenient can now be done with one touch on your mobile phone. In the Philippines, 80% of households have at least one mobile phone. Aside from making calls, texts and use of internet, mobile phones can also be used to make payments through the use of mobile money. This has the potential to make lives more convenient.

According to the World Bank, mobile money is the provision of financial transactions through a mobile device. This encompasses a range of services which includes, but is not limited to, payments, finance, and banking services. Through mobile money, transactions that used to take up time and effort can now be done anytime and anywhere, with the help of a mobile device.

This was the premise for the project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) entitled Scaling Innovations in Mobile Money (SIMM). The project aimed to propagate the use of mobile money in various financial transactions so as to increase access to financial services in areas that lack access to banking facilities. The project advocated the usage of mobile money for transactions in order to make these faster, cheaper, accessible, and more efficient.

One of the pilot partners for the project is the local government unit (LGU) of Pulilan, Bulacan. For Pulilan, the specific transactions that were included in the partnership were payments for utilities and salaries of the government employees. Instead of receiving salaries in cash, these are debited directly to their mobile money accounts and can be used to pay transactions or can be withdrawn using an ATM card linked to their mobile money account. Through the project, Pulilan LGU employees were given mobile money accounts with BPI Globe BanKO, a mobile-phone based savings bank. BPI Globe BanKO was also the conduit for utility payments, particularly for water and electricity bills. Constituents of Pulilan were also encouraged to open accounts with BPI Globe BanKO in order for them to pay their utility bills using mobile money.

Nikole Alicer, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist under the project, said that, “As of date, the Municipality of Pulilan, Bulacan has been successfully using the new electronic payroll system via mobile money for two years since launching of services in August 2013. Notably, BPI Globe BanKO has reported that among their payroll accounts, Pulilan accountholders show the highest level of activities.”

Utility payments and salary disbursements are now made more secure, convenient and cost-effective in the municipality of Pulilan. Precious time is saved that brings down opportunity and economic costs when mobile money is used. Nikole added, “M-money offers an innovative, secure, cost-effective transaction, digitally especially for those in the far-flung areas. It also offers greater ability to track financial flows in line with the government’s thrust towards greater transparency and accountability in financial transaction.”

From June 2013 to December 2014, SEDPI delivered training sessions under the project. SEDPI, as the partner capacity-builder in the project, ensured that the LGU employees were able to understand how to use mobile money to their advantage. SEDPI delivered financial literacy trainings to the employees, highlighting mobile money as a crucial tool for managing personal finances.

Enabling Access to Government Social Security Services through Microfinance

by Romeo Arahan Jr.

It is ironic that the poor get social security through microinsurance from microfinance institutions first before they are able to access government-mandated social security benefits. Based on SEDPI’s research, 90% of microfinance clients have access to microinsurance from MFIs while only 10% have access to Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG. The public sector’s social security programs are less accessible than the private sector’s.

The important benefits of government-mandated social security services are home ownership, pension for retirement, and access to health services. These social security services address basic needs that lighten the financial burden of the poor. The lack of access to these social security services hinders the poor to enjoy these benefits and exclude them from social welfare.

Mariel Vincent Rapisura, president and chief executive officer of SEDPI, facilitating “innovative meeting” with employees of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., (RAFI) said that MFIs are in the best position to bridge the social and financial inclusion gap. “MFIs can apply as collection agents of government-mandated social services to augment current microfinance operations,” he said. “Forging strategic partnerships with government agencies enable both MFIs and government to achieve poverty eradication through financial inclusion. These are good client retention and client expansion strategies for MFIs.” he added.

MFIs benefit as collection agents since they earn up to 7% of the amount collected. “They can design savings products that enable the poor to save and afford payment to government social security services. Aside from the commission they earn, MFIs also benefit from this additional liquidity.” Rapisura explained.

Through savings product development and acting as collection agents MFIs are able to provide access to government social security services to the poor. This is an excellent opportunity for MFIs to attain financial sustainability while at the same time addressing social and financial exclusion.

SEDPI conducts “Innovative Meetings” to microfinance institutions. It is a service that aims to come up with social innovations – doing things differently that create both social and economic value. The innovative meeting service with RAFI Microfinance was held on November 12, 2015 in Cebu City.

Five Emotions That Prevent Financial Success

by Ann Carl Bailey

People often believe that financial management is all about money and has nothing to do with emotions. Wrong! Learning to manage your emotions actually helps in making rational financial decisions that works to your advantage.

Mariel Vincent Rapisura, president and chief executive officer of SEDPI, speaking to employees of the Department of Trade and Industry during their financial wellness training, said there are five emotions that prevent people from achieving financial success. These are fear, anger, guilt, shame and envy – emotions you have to watch out for. When gripped with these emotions, the choices you make can become irrational and financially detrimental.

Grabbing a cup of coffee in Starbucks to look cool with your colleagues is not a good financial decision. Flaunting designer clothes you can’t afford isn’t either. Taking out loans to purchase the latest high-end gadgets will lead to your financial grave. “Fear, anger, guilt, shame and envy drive these irrational behaviors,” Rapisura explained.

“You should learn to find joy in simple things. He suggests to practice living a lifestyle that is equivalent to approximately half of your monthly income. The other half should be budgeted for insurance, savings, investments and taxes. This could be achieved with a little bit of sacrifice and a lot of creativity. This way, financial freedom can be closer at hand. Remember that the pursuit of happiness isn’t measured through material belongings,” Rapisura concluded.

The first batch of the Department of Trade and Industry’s financial wellness program for its employees was held on November 16, 2015 at Saint Giles Hotel in Makati. The second batch will be held on November 27, 2015.

Job Opening for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Specialists

SEDPI is a leading provider of training, research and consulting services for development projects in the Philippines. It is composed of young and dynamic social entrepreneurs committed to make positive impact in society. Established in 2004, SEDPI worked in 26 countries worldwide reaching approximately 3,000 development organizations.

SEDPI is currently expanding its portfolio to include climate change risk management and disaster risk management. The following positions are open either in a part time or full time basis: Climate Change Management Specialist and Disaster Risk Management Specialist.

Climate Change Specialist

Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in any related fields to Climate Change
Knowledge and experience in any of the following areas: (a) Vulnerability Assessment, (b) Natural Resource Assessment, (c) Environment and Natural Resource Accounting, and (d) Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Disaster Risk Management Specialist

Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in any related fields to Disaster Risk Management
Knowledge and experience in any of the following areas: (a) Disaster Risk Assessment and Preparedness; (b) Disaster Response; (c) Designing Disaster Risk Management Plans; (d) Implementation of Disaster Risk Management Plans; (e) Monitoring and Evaluation of Disaster Risk Management Plans; and (f) Disaster Risk Recovery and Rehabilitation

SEDPI offers the opportunity to hold a position with development impact, be exposed to key players in Philippine development programs and projects, and join a successful team of social entrepreneurs. It is looking for dynamic and flexible individuals who are team players.

For interested individuals, kindly send your resume and application letter to info@sedpi.com

331 OFWs Graduate from ADMU LSE in 2015

by Reichelle Carlos

“LSE has been a wake-up call for me to put my finances in order and gave me a roadmap for my financial goals.”

lse31 macau — Graduates of LSE Batch 26 in Dubai smile to the camera on their graduation day. Their commencement exercises was held in the 5-star Al Ghurair Rayhaan Hotel by Rotana. Photo courtesy of Melanie Abilo Anacleto from Facebook

This year, 331 more of our modern-day Filipino heroes all over the world are better equipped with skills on dealing with their finances and economic situations. They are the recent graduates of this year’s batches of Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) Program conducted in Paris, Rome, Dubai, and 5 other key cities in Europe and Asia.

The LSE Program under the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) has been conducting series of seminars to migrant workers in Europe, Middle East and Asia since 2008. The consortium of ASoG, Overseas Filipino Society for the Promotion of Economic Security (OFSPES), Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI) and UGAT Foundation aims to empower OFWs by transforming their mindset and becoming agents of social change not just to their fellow OFWs in their host countries but also to their family members in the Philippines.

Mariel Vincent Rapisura, president and chief executive officer of SEDPI, shares in a phone interview: “My vision is economic empowerment for Filipinos through financial education because no one deserves to be poor.”

SEDPI, a capacity-building institution, conducts the modules on financial literacy and social entrepreneurship. Other module includes courses on leadership.

“LSE has been a wake-up call for me to put my finances in order and gave me a roadmap for my financial goals. In the last six months, my personal finance has improved from 5 to 8 (ot of a possible score of 10). I can’t thank enough the dedicated people behind LSE.” Ricky Zafra recalls his learnings from the 6-month program. Ricky is a graduate from the LSE 31 in Macau. He works as a Document Control Manager and has been in Macau for 11 years.

The participants are also expected to come up with a business plan before the end of the program. Most of the business ideas are out of their experiences in their host countries and are into food, real estate, and agriculture.

One LSE group from Netherlands created Sarap Pinoy NL, producer of prepared Filipino meat products such as longganisa, tapa, and the like. Owners Gladez and Jack Kok shares that their inspiration was to “make the Filipino products available in Europe for Filipinos and Europeans as well”. Later on, they did not expect the positive response of their customers; their products simply hit home. From a simple business plan, they strategize to continue introducing new products to their clients through food bazaars and other related events.

Truly, Filipinos shine through wherever they are – whether at home or overseas. They continue to make the nation proud in their own efforts and provide great contribution in stirring up the economy.

Yolanda and the Filipino Resiliency

SEDPI Program Officer, Angelo Naidas, conducts focus group discussion with victims of Typhoon Yolanda

By: Emilenn Sacdalan-Pateño

The Philippines is known as one of the most hazard-prone countries in the world. In a 2008 World Bank study, the country was identified as a natural disaster hot-spot with approximately 50.3% of its total area and 81% of its population vulnerable to natural disasters. The United Nations University Institute of Environment and Human Security’s (UNU- EHS) 2012 World Risk Report, the Philippines is the third most disaster risk country worldwide.^[1]

In a country that experiences a lot of natural disasters, it is a wonder how its people would cope in order to survive. These are what the Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI) found out during the conduct of two (2) separate researches among Yolanda survivors in Eastern and Western Visayas. These researches were done respectively with Cordaid and People in Need (PIN).

According to the researches, the most effective coping mechanism of the poor in times of disaster are the following: (a) looking for other sources of income; (b) donations or relief operations; and (c) accessing loans. These coping mechanisms are cited to be effective since these allow the family of the respondents to get by with daily needs, and are also readily available.

However, it is interesting to note that although not mentioned widespread, a significant number of the respondents revealed that their top priority in terms of coping mechanism is prayer. They also deemed this as highly effective. One respondent from Eastern Samar said, “Hindi ko nga po alam kung paano pa kami nakakaraos sa araw-araw. Ipinapasa-Diyos na lang namin.” (“I do not know how we survive day-by-day. We just leave it up to the Lord.”) This only shows how culture has influenced the coping mechanisms of the Filipinos.

Another coping mechanism inherent to Filipinos is that of getting assistance from village members through damayan (compassion) and bayanihan (cooperation). Some experts might call it social capital. But for the respondents, immediate help would only come from those around them. There were stories of Yolanda survivors in Iloilo pooling whatever food they have so that they could share them among neighbors.

With all the calamities that the Philippines experiences, its people have found indigenous ways of coping to these disasters. But even the poor know that they would be able to better cope with these disasters if there is an enabling environment for them to be more economically resilient and be better equipped to manage disasters. The two projects of SEDPI, with Cordaid and People in Need (PIN) respectively, are trying to accomplish these. Cordaid is a Dutch International NGO and PIN is a Czech International NGO.

Currently, SEDPI won the bid for the project with PIN to be able to allow the Yolanda survivors in Eastern Samar to have access to suitable financial products and services and enhance financial literacy. Aside from access to financial services, market linkage is also an important aspect that is looked into by the project as this would provide an enabling environment for the communities to be more economically resilient. These factors would enable the Yolanda survivors to build their resiliency, both on the individual and collective levels.

[1] “Natural Disasters at a Glance,” Senate Economic Planning Office, April 2013

Opening for Project-based IT Officer

SEDPI is a private organization composed of young and dynamic social entrepreneurs, with a niche in providing services for the microfinance industry and microenterprises. Its services include training, technical and mentoring assistance, market research, strategic planning, project appraisal, and impact assessment.

Established in 2004, SEDPI worked in 23 countries worldwide reaching approximately 3,000 development organizations. The organization is currently expanding and is looking for a Project-based IT Officer.

The Project-based IT Officer is open for six months with the possibility to be offered full employment subject to the performance of the employee. Fresh graduates and those with one-year experience are encouraged to apply. The work mainly involves providing database administration and support for corporate systems of SEDPI.

o Ensure that day-to-day administrative activities are undertaken to maintain databases in a fully operational and stable state.

o Undertake system monitoring and tuning to ensure optimum performance.

o Review and maintain efficient and effective database backup procedures to enable the provision of successful and accurate backups so that any data can be restored quickly and efficiently.

o Undertake upgrade and conversion projects as required.

o Prepare and maintain relevant systems documentation including the ‘creation of policies and procedures.

SEDPI offers the opportunity to hold a position with development impact, be exposed to key players in the Philippine microfinance industry, and join a successful team of young social entrepreneurs. It is looking for young and flexible individuals who are willing to be trained and are fast learners. Passion for development work and effectiveness in working in a team are given more weight than academic qualification or professional experience.

For interested individuals, kindly send your resume and application letter to info@sedpi.com

Miguel Roberto Parungo

Miguel Roberto Parungo, or Rob, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Technology Management from the Ateneo de Manila University. His academic experiences immersed him in different fields of studies, such as communications, multi-media, and information technology. These different fields of studies taught him how they have changed and will change the relationship of people and businesses altogether.

He actively participated in various student-based organizations and projects that cultivated his passion for development work. He served in Tugon Ateneo, an organization that advocates against the existence of child sexual abuse in the country. As Assistant Area Head to one of the partner institutions of Tugon Ateneo in 2013, he was tasked to design and execute sustainable systems to improve the organization’s area engagements. He also spearheaded Lights for Hope which was formerly known as Blue Christmas, a university-wide project that celebrates Christmas with over a thousand public school children. He, along with his team, pushed for innovations while expanding the experience of the project to the different school units and more children. He is also part of the Loyola Mountaineers, an organization that advocates environmental preservation and rehabilitation. Rob co-headed Loyola Mountaineer’s Indigenous People’s Forum, which discussed the rights of the Philippines’ indigenous peoples with the assistance from the National Commissions of Indigenous People.

His experiences in project management and social work, along with his persistence for innovation and change, fuels him to work in the development sector.

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Alamin ang mga sikreto sa pagyaman tulad ng:

* Pagiwas sa abuso sa perang pinapadala
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* Mga ugaling nakapagpapayaman
* Pagba-budget nang tama at may priority
* Pagpili ng angkop na insurance
* Paggawa ng mga financial goals

Date: May 24, 2015 (9:00am to 4:00pm)
Venue: Bayanihan Kennedy Town Center
55 Victoria Road, Kennedy Town
Hong Kong

Registration Fee: HKD 25 only (Registration starts by 8:00am)
Email: info@sedpi.com
Mobile: +852-9249-9942 (Alvir) +852-9386-2514 (Wilma)

Speaker: Mariel Vincent A. Rapisura (Vince)

Si Vince ay isang adjunct professor sa Ateneo de Manila University at isa ring social entrepreneur. Nakapagbigay na ng training sa 24 na bansa sa loob ng 15 taon. Nakapagtapos siya sa Ateneo ng kolehiyo at sa Asian Institute of Management para sa master’s program. Nagsanay at nagaral din si Vince sa America, Netherlands at Hong Kong. Siya ngayon ay namamahala ng kaniyang mga kumpanya na may kabuuang halagang ~PhP250 million sa ari-arian. Ang mga dumadalo sa mga training ni Vince ay umuuwing dala ang tuwa at bagong pag-asang kakayaning lutasin ang mga hinaharap nilang problema sa pera.

Note:
Limited slots only. Payment in cash will also be accepted at the venue.