A total of 168 employees were honoured last December 17 for their unwavering service to Pagasa. 141 qualified to the 5 Year Service Loyalty Award and 26 Development Officers (DOs) qualified as Champion DOs for at least three consecutive months.

Rvnnhng on hus ughrd year, uge recognhuhon xas done hn lhne xhug uge company’s goal of gonovrhng excellence and service amongst its employees and rewarding hard work and merits within the rank.

Champion DOs were each given cellular phones while the Loyalty Awardees were each given a trophy and monetary reward.

The awarding for the Visayas and North and South Mindanao Divisions were held in their respective division offices with the Division Manager handing out the awards in behalf of the company. The awarding program for NCR, North and South Luzon was held in Hive Hotel in Quezon City. PPLCI President Mr. TIM Fakruzzaman, with the management committee handed the awards.

The President in his speech emphasized the importance of uge suaff’s performance in uge company’s operations and pursuit of its financial and social goals. (turn to p. 3)

Vol. 1 Issue No. 1 - Sept - Dec 2016

Pagasa Philippines awarded twenty-three (23) scholars a grant of PhP 20,000.00 each for the second semester of 2016-2017 for its newly-lavncged “One Scgolar per Brancg Program.”

The scholars were identified from among 30+ nominations who have met the criteria from across the branches all over the Philippines. The goal of the program is to help borrowers provide for the education needs of their children.

North Luzon scholars are Camille Manalastas (Gapan) and Renzol Timbol Lugtu (Mabalacat). For NCR: Jay-Arr P. Dasigan and Mark Lester Pidlaoan (Novaliches), Rick Charles R. Basilio (Paco), Helen Asis Rieza (Pasig Rosario), Ma. Delmar Bigata (Taytay) and Mario Maligon Javier (Valenzuela)

South Luzon scholars are Glaine Daly C. Estrella (GMA-Cavite), Cathlyn G. Ordonez (Imus) Donald Kandog and Marian Joyce Manalo (Las Pinas), Merck Steven Lu (Lucena), Nicky C. Salvador (Naic), and Micko Panganiban (Silang).

North Mindanao scholars are Shiela Mae Villorejo (El Salvador, Rapha Jamero (Carmen), Edmon Plaza Cuares (Trento) and, Bernardo B. Sabuero (Cabadbaran). (turn to p. 3)

(Top) Mother Elsa Riesa and daughter Helen Riza receives the check from Pagasa Rosario Branch staff.

(Bottom) Mr. Bernardo Sabuero, the scholar of PMPFI from Cabadbaran Region receives a check

with his mother in the branch office.

(left) Awardees from Luzon (North, South and Central Divisions) in a group song led by Mr. Ramon Santos, Admin Manager. (right) Group picture of the awardees of North Mindanao with the DM Mr. MD Mofizur Rahman.

We welcome new developments in Pagasa. Starting this year, Pagasa will release its quarterly newsletter to keep our staff and clients updated. This is part of our efforts to promote transparency between and among our stakeholders.

We also now have a personnel in-charge of the Social Performance Management and Corporate Social Responsibility. In our operations, we often talk about the concept of Microfinance having two bottom lines: financial and social. We have developed tried-and-tested methodologies to achieve our financial goals but we are still on our infancy in developing strategies to achieve our social goals. We are happy to have Mr. Ranie B. Catimbang to attend to this concern exactly. For the years to come, xe’re gophng uo come vp xhug uools uo assess ovr hmpacu uo uge commvnhuy.

We are also excited to share that Mr. MD Shamsul Hassan is on board as our Deputy President. Mr. Hasan has extensive experience in the microfinance sector having worked with ASA Bangladesh for 25 years. He is eager to share his expertise in our operations in the Philippines. We believe that his inputs will be essential in the direction that the company is treading at the moment.

In line with our mandate as a microfinance institution, we are hoping to develop more programs to benefit our clients. As early as October the Pagasa ng Masang Pinoy Foundation Inc. (PMPFI), the social arm of Pagasa Philippines Inc., has developed a scholarship program dubbed “One Scholar per Branch Program” and tasked the Client Services Committee to oversee its implementation. We are hoping to get more beneficiaries to avail of this program as part of our CSR.

In lhev of xanuhng uo prowhde sochal prouecuhon uo ovr clhenus, xe’we teen providing micro insurance services to our clients. The Pagasa ng Pinoy Mutual Benefit Association (PPMBAI) spearheads the management and operation of our microinsurance program. As we grow as a company, we hope to explore how we can better serve our clients and providing microinsurance is one way we do it. We hope that everyone is on board with the good changes and new programs we will explore in the future.

Lastly, we wish to congratulate this years loyalty service and champion DO awardees. We hope to see you grow with us in the next 5 or more years. Your loyalty and service to the company keeps us moving forward. 2016 has been generally a good year for Pagasa. Leu’s all gope ugau 2017 xhll ewen te a teuuer year for vs as xe expand our reach further. Thank you all for sharing this year and the years to come with us.

Total number of branches 242

Total number of development officers 1,034

Total number of active groups 16,827

Total number of active members 292,075

Total number of active borrowers 261,258

Total outstanding amount 1,681,072,117.00

TIM Fakruzzaman President, PPLCI

Zeny de Jesus President, PMPFI

Gene Kong President, PPMBAI

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Tanglaw Pagasa welcomes contributions from staff of Pagasa Philippines.

Contributions can be in the form of news, feature stories, fiction, essays, poetry, photos and the

like related to Pagasa’s work.

A “Buhay DO” column will be developed in the next issue. DOs are encouraged to share

personal essays on their experiences in the field. DOs whose story is featured in Tanglaw Pagasa

will win prizes.

Email you stories and contributions to spmcsr@asa-international.com.ph.

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(from p. 1)

He thanked the awardees for their unwavering service to the company and vrged ugem uo “make anouger person (te) lhke yov” ty hnsphrhng and developing more loyal staff.

Representative speakers from the staff also had a chance to share their experiences, and thanked the company for providing them the opportunity for their career growth.

Ms Zeny de Jesus, one of the awardees and the Training Director and PMPFI President, reminded the staff of the social mission of the organization. In her closing remarks, she noted that her 28+ years of experience in the microfinance sector was not easy but sge xovldn’u gawe xhsged for anouger professhon.

An hnsphrhng song “Here I am Lord” xas svng as part of the closing program.

(top) The awardees pose for a group photo with the DM of Visayas Mr. Muhammad Abdul Alim. Admin Manager. (bottom) Mr. MD. Mozammel Huq Ratan, Division Manager of South Mindanao hands the plaque to one of the awardees.

(from p.1)

South Mindanao scholars are Jan Paul Satam (Kidapawan), Vera-Ellen Diamante (Padada), Irish Olenares (Surallah) and Josie Marie Shaira Maghari (Tibungco).

Among the 23 scholars, majority are taking courses in Education, Economics and Management, Information Technology, and Engineering. Few are into Communication, Midwifery, Biology and Criminology.

Josie Marie Shaira Maghari, daughter of member Maria Rossini Maghari of Tibungco branch wrote a heartfelt letter as part of the application. An excerpt reads “(Pagasa) has been a big help for me and my family espechally for my…edvcauhon. Pagasa has been a very big contributor to our success, helping my family ugrovggovu uge years…Tgank yov Pagasa for the continuous help and inspiring people to fulfil our dreams ewen xhug fhnanchal dhffhcvluhes.”

Each branch in operation for at least three years with clients of 1100 and above were asked to nominate a scholar. The nominees are sons or daughters of clients who have been with Pagasa for at least three (3) years with good loan repayment records. The nominees are graduating college or technical-vocational students with good/passing grades.

The Client Services Committee, in-charge of the program, hopes to receive more nominations completing the 50 scholars originally targeted. Pagasa has allotted PhP 2 million for the program.

(Top) Mrs. Janet Satam, mother of Jan Paul Satan receives the scholarship grant from Pagasa staff in Kidapawan. (Bottom) Mrs. Lolita Olenares receives the check from Surallah branch staff during her group’s meeting.

Catalyst Microfinance Investments (CMI), the private equity investment fund, financial guardian and fund manager of ASA International (which includes Pagasa Philippines Inc.), managed in partnership by ASA and Sequoia, tops B-Lab's Global Impact Investment Rating System (GIIRS) for 2016 with a 5-Star Rating and Platinum IBM rating in the Impact Business Model Category.

It also received 5-Star and a Platinum IBM Rating for Operations placing it fourth in that category.

“Tge independent nonprofit B Lab* created the GIIRS rating system to help fund managers assess and verify the impacts of their portfolio companies. The companies are scored based on their performance on the B Impact Assessment, which is administered by B Lab and incorporates IRIS metrics. Each fund then undergoes a verification process at B Lab to become a GIIRS-rated fund.

GIIRS funds receive a medal rating, platinum being the highest, for uge porufolho companhes’ Impacu Bvshness Model (IBM) rauhng, which recognizes companies that are specifically designed to solve social or environmental problems.

GIIRS funds receive a star rating, with 5 stars being the highest, for the Operations Rating of their portfolio companies. This rating evaluates the impact of each business in how it operates and is someuhmes referred uo as “ESG,” or Enwhronmenual, Sochal and Governance practices.” (sovrce: guup://bftw.bthechange.com/the-funds)

These awards confirm that ASA International's Microfinance Model is financially viable, creating great impact in areas where it works in including the Philippines (through Pagasa) where ASA International first established its operations outside Bangladesh.

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The Philippines is prone to disasters such as earthquake, typhoon, and other forms of natural calamities. These calamities affect poor and vulnerable people the most and Pagasa aims to lessen the impact of these calamities by assisting them to recover.

For the past months, Pagasa Philippines conducted relief operations to assist members who were either affected by flooding due to torrential rains during the monsoon seasons and in some cases, due to fire.

In 2016, relief goods were distributed to twenty-three (23) families in August and additional 238 flood-affected families benefitted in September.

The relief package consisted of basic necessities such as rice, canned goods, water, and other essentials were distributed to help provide for the immediate needs of calamity stricken members and their families.

Pagasa coordinated with local government units for these efforts. In 2016, Pagasa set aside a total budget of 3,478,000 for relief and other calamity-related efforts.

The next step that Pagasa hopes to undertake is to train and orient its members on disaster risk reduction to lessen the consequences of disaster to the members, their families, and their communities.

Pagasa members affected by flooding lined up to receive relief goods as the staff distributes it to them.

(top) Mr. MD. Mozammel Huq Ratan, Division Manager of South Mindanao with Pagadian Vice Mayor distributes relief goods. (bottom) One of the members of Pagasa happily receives relief goods from the staff in Mindanao.

CMI receives the award from BLab.

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Staff development is at the core of what Pagasa does as a microfinance company, hence, the company constantly provides training to its staff on microfinance operations and other developmental concerns relating to microfinance and its clients.

For the past months, a series of pre-service and refresher training courses were conducted to potential Development Officers and Group Coordinators, in-service Development Officers, Assistant Branch Managers, Branch Managers, Regional Managers and Assistant Division Managers.

Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) is aimed at developing the capacities of potential development officers and group coordinators to work in the microfinance industry. The main focus is to orient them on the ASA History and Methodology, products and services, operations, and the company’s sochal mhsshon. Client protection principles are also discussed.

Refresher courses are aimed at newly promoted and already serving DOs, ABMs, BMs, RMs and ADMs to update them on new policies of the company, remind them of the core principles and practices, and enrich their practical knowledge as they navigate through the operations.

Several PSO theoretical were conducted in the North Luzon Division in the last quarter of 2016. PSOs were conducted in Cabugao, Olongapo, Tarlac, Candon, Agoo, and Rosario. In North Mindanao, PSOs were held in Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Kabansalan and Pagadian. In South Mindanao two PSOs were held in the Division Office.

In the Head Office Training Center, an ABM Training was held last November while a Branch Managers Course was conducted in September.

In South Mindanao, A DO Refresher course was held in Oroquieta twice in October. An ABM Refresher Course was held in Butuan in November, and a Branch Manager Refresher was held in Oroquieta in October, and in Buhangin and Digos Sub-Division in October. ABM Training are done twice a year, RM Training thrice a year and Support Staff Training twice a year.

New modules The training department has also included some

modules in the refresher courses for DO, ABM, BM, RM and ADM. Already included in the training for RM and ADM are modules on mentor-mentee relationship, aimed at cultivating mentorship between supervisors and subordinates, and conflict management, a practical module to develop leadership not based on anger and hate but instead fostering relations out of mutual respect.

ABMs were also capacitated on assuming newer and greater role in assisting the BMs in managing the branch as well as in monitoring. The roles of Group Coordinators is also being highlighted which is aimed at lowering dropout rates. Across the ranks from DO to DM, sessions on excellent service and customer relations have also been included in the training. This is to develop service-orientation among all the field staff of Pagasa.

With the company being more cognizant of social performance, sessions on social performance management and the role of microfinance in the achievement of UN Social Development Goals (SDG) 2030 have also been conducted in some refresher courses. The intention is to develop consciousness among the staff towards the development issues that the microfinance industry has a stake in. Business communication module, IT skills upgrading, and orientation to the MIS system (AMMS) have also been integrated in the training.

(Top) Ms Zeny de Jesus in one session during an ABM Training in the Head Office Training Center. (Bottom) Participants of the BM Training from Luzon.

Edhuor’s Note: This letter was sent by Josie Marie Shaira P. Maghari, daughter of Maria Rossini Maghari, member of Pagasa Philippines from Tibungco, as part of her application to the One Scholar per Branch Program. Josie is graduating student of Education for Gabriel Taborin College of Davao. The letter is published here as a testimonial. The editor sought consent from Ms. Maghari for the publication of her letter.

Ms. Dakila dela Pacion, Mr. Jayson Tapiador and newly-elected BOT Member from Batac branch Mrs Estrelita Borromeo, attended the Micro Insurance MBA Association of the Pghlhpphnes’ Worksgop on Gowernance and AMLA in behalf of Pagasa ng Pinoy Mutual Benefit Association Inc. (PPMBAI).

The workshop, co-organized by the Insurance Commission and Rimansi Organization for Asia and the Pacific, was held to train Microinsurance MBAs’ in strengthening their governance mechanisms, and orient them about the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) of the Philippines. The Credit Information Act was also discussed.

The workshop was held last October 20-21 at New Horizon Hotel in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.

(Top) PPMBAI Staff with the participants and one of the speakers of the Workshop. (Bottom) The participants during the group photo session after certificates of

participation were handed out.

Josie Marie Shaira Maghari (left) and her mother Maria Rossini Maghari (center) happily receives

the check from Tibungco branch staff.

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through Proclamation No. 1212 series of 2007

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EDITORIAL BOARD

Editorial Consultant:

TIM Fakruzzaman

Managing Editor:

Zeny de Jesus

Editor / Layout / Writer:

Ranie B. Catimbang

Group Leaders of the 15,978 strong groups of Pagasa Philippines Inc. were convened from October to November for a half-day leadership training in the respective branches. This was a continuation of the same activity held in May to June.

The trainings were held to orient the leaders on new programs and policies of the company, provide inputs on strengthening group leadership and coordination, and develop camaraderie and solidarity among the group that the group leaders are handling.

Regional Managers assisted by the Branch Managers served as the trainers. Inputs on Leadership, Characteristics of a Good Leader, and Grouping and Sub-grouping were discussed. Clients benefits were also discussed and reviewed to remind the leaders what the company is providing them.

An open forum towards the end of the program paved the way for the leaders to receive response from the DMs, ADMs, RMs and BMs present on issues and concerns that they raised.

Senior Management officials of Pagasa attended the scheduled GL Gathering within NCR and Luzon. They took part in the sessions by sharing and updating the leaders with new developments in Pagasa.

TANGLAW PAGASA (beam of hope) is the official quarterly newsletter publication of Pagasa Philippines Inc. (Pagasa Philippines Lending

Company, Pagasa ng Masang Pinoy Foundation Inc., and Pagasa ng Pinoy Mutual Benefit Association Inc.). Its logo and name represent the glimmer

of hope that Pagasa provides its members and clients through Microfinance.

For inquiries and suggestions: Contact us at 709-1761 / 374-3880

Visit us at 7F Jenkinsen Tower 80 Timog Ave., Quezon City Visit our website www.asa-international.com.ph

Like our Facebook page: @pagasaphilippines

TANGLAW

PAGASA

Pagasa conducted its Annual Team Building and DO Gathering for 2016. A series of events were held during several Saturdays of August to September. The gathering was organized on a per Division basis with the Division staff taking care of the preparations.

Blue shirts were distributed in the morning during the registration of the participants. A DOs hour was held in the morning to give opportunity for DOs to air out their concerns and issues to the management. Representatives from the management together with head office and division staff, listened to the DOs concerns and provided them with resolutions and explanations.

The highlight of the one-day activity were the games and activities conducted to build team dynamics, sportsmanship, and camaraderie. The groups were divided into four teams namely Red, Green, Yellow, and Blue Team. The first activity was cheering where the teams presented their team cheer. It was then followed by other games such as ball relay, water relay, human tick-tock-toe, and others.

The program ended after the awarding of medals to the team winners. Training Officers together with head office and division office staff prepared and facilitated the activities.

Play to win. DOs and field staff engage in competitive sports and activities during the DO Gathering and Team-Building activities held in various locations.

Training leaders. RMs, BMs and ADMs handle different sessions on leadership to train GL in handling groups and subgroups to increase collection efficiency and strengthen solidarity. (Bottom right) Mr. TIM Fakruzzaman joins the GLs in a group photo.

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