CARD MRI’s micro-finance uplifts lives of members in Quezon, CamSur

Eveden A. Postre  (R), president  of EMERALD-CARD-MRI,  barangay Kilagan Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, one of the beneficiaries of CARD ...

Eveden A. Postre  (R), president  of EMERALD-CARD-MRI,  barangay Kilagan Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, one of the beneficiaries of CARD micro-finance program was interviewed by Information  Officer Ruel M. Orinday of Philippine Information Agency-Quezon during “Lakbay-Aral for Media” on September 20-22, 2018

by Ruel M. Orinday, PIA-Quezon 

The Center for Agriculture and Development (CARD) Inc.- Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (MRI) has now grown into one of the country’s major pillars in the microfinance industry.

Since its humble beginnings, CARD MRI has always been eager in utilizing human ingenuity in its mission to uplift the lives of Filipino women and to eradicate poverty in the country.

CARD-MRI greatly helps its members not only in the province of Quezon and Camarines Sur but also in other provinces nationwide.

This was learned from Eveden A. Postre, president of EMERALD-CARD-MRI of Bgy. Kilagan Del Gallego, Camarines Sur during the “Lakbay-Aral for Media” in Tagkawayan, Quezon on September 20-22, 2018.

“Malaki ang naitulong ng CARD sa aking pamilya sa pamamagitan ng educational loan simula nang ako ay maging miyembro noong Oktubre 12, 2012. Ang aking anak na si Dina Postre ay nakatapos ng kursong ‘Education’ noong taong 2016 at ngayon ay nagtatrabaho na at ang isa ko pang anak na lalaki na si Jay Postre ay nagtapos naman ng “Commerce’ noong kaparehong taon”.

Eveden availed of a P10,000 educational loan from CARD MRI in 2012 which is payable in one year with a very minimal interest.

“Nag loan din ako sa CARD-MRI at ginamit ko pambili ng pagkain ng aking mga alagang baboy na nakatulong din sa pang-araw na kagastusan ng aming pamilya,” he said.

Eveden owned a 3 hectare agricultural land in their barangay which is planted with coconut trees and banana.

CARD, Inc. offers microloans to support the livelihood activities of poor women. It also initiates programs in education, health and agriculture.

Another CARD MRI’s microfinance program beneficiary who narrated her testimonial during the Lakbay-Aral for media was Melicia Mercado of Tagkawayan, Quezon who is engaged in plasticware and glassware merchandising. Melicia is a graduate of Industrial Education and became a teacher with a monthly salary of P15,000.00. She became a CARD member in 2009.

“Malaki ang naitulong ng CARD sa aking pamilya. Una kong nautang sa CARD noong 2009 ay P10,000 na ginamit kong pambili ng mga paninda at ang una naming ginawa ay ang pagtitingi at pagtitinda ng chlorine at paminta noon katuwang ko ang aking asawa na si Rolly sa pamamagitan ng rolling store kapag araw ng ‘Tiangge”, araw ng Linggo at Huwebes dito sa aming bayan ng Tagkawayan,” Melicia said.

Just recently, Melicia availed a livelihood loan of P250,000.00 from CARD where she used the money as additional capital for her business.

“Hindi na kami nangungutang sa five-six at sayang din ang malaking tubo na nawawala sa amin. Nagsi-savings na lang kami sa bank habang kumikita sa aming mga negosyo. Sa ngayon, mayroon na kaming tindahan, jeep at nakapagpatayo na rin ng maayos na bahay,” she added.

Lakbay-Aral for media in Tagkawayan, Quezon also coincided with the Kaunlaran Caravan of CARD-MRI where various community development programs such as community health fair, financial literacy and mass wedding were showcased.

Melecia Mercado (L), a member of CARD-MRI in Tagkawayan, Quezon narrated  her testimonial as one of the micro-finance program beneficiaries of CARD Inc.   to Ms. Leony Algiri of DWLC-Radyo Pilipinas during “Lakbay-Aral for Media” on September 20-22, 2018.