Over 1,500 employees of the Microfinance Program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI Micro-finance, Inc.) gathered for the fourth general assembly held last February 2, 2019, at the IEC Convention Center (IC3) in Cebu City.
In line with RAFI’s campaign #1happyRAFI which promotes camaraderie to each RAFInians, employees from different RMF branches from the different parts of Biliran, Bohol, Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Samar, and Southern Leyte gather together to meet their colleagues and witness the accomplishments that RMF has achieved for the past year, 2018, and reveal the plans for 2019.
The general assembly, according to Riella Mae Christa Guioguio, Vice President for Finance, is all about the employees whom she described as an “important asset and investment” of the company.
“Our growth plans for the next five years may scare some other organizations but not RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. because we know we have what it takes to propel RMF to the next milestone because we have our hardworking, dedicated, humble, simple, yet passionate employees. And that’s all of you my dear RAFInians,” Guioguio said.
She also added that 2019 is a turning point for RMF to prepare for aggressive growth and help the organization reach its goals.
“We need to pause and look inwards to be self-aware of what needs to be repaired, strengthened or added. We need to go back to the basics; our people, processes, systems. By doing so, we will have [a] solid foundation as we start our marathon towards our wildly, big goals,” she added.
RMF Chief Operations Officer Ma. Theresa Catipay then shared through a video presentation the various accomplishments that were achieved in 2018.
“This is a very special moment that I would like to share to you (the accomplishments) because as one team, I believe 2018 was a very important year because we have really grown double the size of 2017,” Catipay said.
In 2018, RMF released a total of P4.3 billion to 265,000 clients, achieving the target in net income of P346 Million. RMF also opened a total of 141 RMF branches within the Visayas area, relaunching of the new sector loan, pursuing the community outreach initiatives, and implementing the Boost Accelerator Program.
“There was so much challenge in 2018 but over and above the challenge is that I think, we are blessed with a very good year,” she added.
Awards for the branch staff were also given during the assembly wherein Catipay together with Deputy Director for Operations, Ailyne Lim, and Strategic Management Officer, Jonar Dorado handed out the awards for the following categories:
• Most Outstanding Trust Staff — Kimberly Velasquez of San Juan Branch
• Most Outstanding Branch — Cebu City 1
• Most Outstanding Branch Manager — Gina Gimpayan
• Rookie Trust Staff of the Year — Aldwin Plasquita, and;
• Rookie Branch Manager of the Year — Anthony Gera
Special Awards:
• HoPE – Giver Excellence Award and the Housing Improvement Product Champion Award — Baybay 1 Branch, led by Romel Banoc
• PhilHealth Product Champion — Compostela Branch
• Education Product Champion — San Fernando Branch
• WASH Product Champion — Daanbantayan Branch
Winners received cash prizes, certificate, trophy, and a plaque as a symbol of victory and a reminder that it takes hard work and consistent effort to achieve major goals.
In the afternoon, the Kool Adventure Camp of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-KAC) participated in the program of activities as the Team Dynamics facilitator, followed by the launching of the new Employee Insurance Benefits Package.
The program ends with RMF employees gathering at the center of the venue hall for a #1happyRAFI family souvenir photo.
The Microfinance Program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI Micro-finance, Inc.) 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.
