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KMBI Program Member Bags COVID-19 Response Champion Award from CMA

Ivy Millare during the 2017 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards

The 18th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA), a nationwide search for outstanding microentrepreneurs in the Philippines, recognized KMBI Koronadal Program Member Ivy Millare as one of the COVID-19 Response Champions. The award was given last June 15, 2021 via virtual conferencing.

The “COVID-19 Response Champions” is awarded to microentrepreneurs who innovated during the ongoing health crisis and led exemplary response efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the height of community lockdowns, Millare lost 60% of her sales. As a result, many of her buko pies were left unsold. Consequently, her reduced income made her worry for the security of her nine employees who relied on her for income.

Instead of letting the unsold products spoil, she donated the excess quantity to frontliners within her community. These very same recipients reached out to her and offered to become resellers of her products. Together, they made up 60% of her resellers.

Besides catching up to her reduced sales during the beginning of the pandemic, Millare is also able to help her community generate livelihood through a reseller business model. Because of this, her products reached neighboring provinces like Cotabato, General Santos and Davao.

Millare was also recognized by the CMA as a Regional Winner for Mindanao last 2017, proving her excellence in business.

The CMA is a global financial inclusion initiative that recognizes the contributions of microentrepreneurs to their local economies and highlighted the importance of microfinance in supporting the economic development of low-income individuals.

KMBI President, Mr. Eduardo C. Jimenez, lauds this achievement of Millare. “Ivy Millare’s yet another CMA win is a testament of resiliency amidst the uncertain times. We know that many businesses struggled and even folded during the pandemic, but her perseverance and persistence led her to this recognition. May this bring inspiration and hope to our Program Members to keep striving.”

“This not only inspires to her fellow clients, but also gives KMBI motivation to continue serving our Program Members in times of need,” he added.

KMBI Board of Trustees Convene for Annual General Membership Meeting

Pursuant to the Corporation Code and By-laws and in light of the current health regulations being implemented in the country, KMBI Board of Trustees and Corporate Members gathered for their Annual General Membership (AGM) Meeting held virtually last February 27, 2021.

The elected Boart of Trustees are as follows: Mr. David D. Gutierrez, Chairman; Mr. Sergio G. Edeza, Vice-Chairman; Mr. Eduardo C. Jimenez, President; Atty. Romel R. Bagares, Corporate Secretary; and Mr. Edgardo F. Garcia, Corporate Treasurer.

Members of the Board comprise of Mr. Lemuel David A. Salmo, Dr. Rodolfo P. Estigoy, Bishop Jose D. Dalino, and Ms. Jeanette Ng-Lim.

The AGM is held to allow KMBI leaders to engage in the decision making process by discussing the organization’s performance in the previous financial year, tackling corporate issues, and appointing members and officers of KMBI’s Board of Trustees.