Previous
Next

The Microfinance Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-Microfinance) opened eight new branches in the areas of San Remigio, Borbon, Minglanilla, Sierra Bullones, Getafe, Calape, Sipalay, and Binalbagan last month.

The opening of the new branches is a kick-start for this year’s goal while also exploring new regions like in Samar and Iloilo. At present, RAFI-Microfinance has a total of 84 branches in the regions of Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental.

Dominic Sencio, RAFI-Microfinance Expansion Head, said that this year’s goal is more challenging since they are opening more branches compared to the previous years.

“We are currently re-strategizing our plans since we only have the same number of people working on the field. Our goal is bigger compared to last year. We are also advancing our actions of finding offices in the new areas so that we are ahead on schedule of our branch opening,” Sencio stressed.

He also added that the distance from Cebu to the provinces of Samar and Iloilo is the biggest challenge that RAFI-Microfinance faces, especially in their plans of penetrating in the said regions as their supplies are being shipped from Cebu.

“As far as what I’ve experienced travelling around the Visayas, the golden rule is to respect our clients and prospect clients. Treat them the way you want to be treated so that we won’t have any problem penetrating in these new regions. We can touch more lives and help these people with their business,” Sencio shared.

The Set-up Team, which is composed of the Set-up Manager and Set-up members, are now deployed to the different areas that the RAFI-Microfinance is planning to penetrate. They are also handling two branches at the same time in order to meet their targets before the year ends.

The Microfinance Program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI Micro-finance) provides financial and non-financial services to micro-entrepreneurs with a mission of elevating lives of the vulnerable and disadvantaged communities through stable and rewarding livelihood.