VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental—Nine years since its establishment in Gingoog City, Bangko sa Balay opened another branch in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental to help Misamisnons contribute their share to the economic development of the province, Mindanao, the Philippines and the world.
Marina Javier and Jita Getalada, Barangay Health Workers (BHW) of Barangay Katipunan who were among the first depositors of the new branch, led the ribbon cutting ceremony. They were joined by Bangko sa Balay Board Member Teodorico “Teody” Peña and BBFI Managing Director Ariel “Ayi” Hernandez.
Bangko sa Balay Foundation, Inc. (BBFI), a member of the Balay Mindanaw Group (BMG) of non-government organizations, was established in 2007 to help empower people do their share in nation-building and help BMG realized its vision of Kaangayan, Kalambuan, Kalinaw sa Mindanaw, sa Pilipinas, sa Kalibutan (Equity, Development, Peace for Mindanao, for the Philippines and for the World).
BBFI does this in three ways: (1) Investing in people and communities who invest in themselves; (2) Help transform poor households to become entrepreneurs; and (3) Deliver quality service to hard-to-reach areas and communities, said Villanueva Branch Manager Amorelle “Amor” Rejas.
“The goal of BBFI is to teach people how to save and how to invest,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez said that the bank management chose to open another branch here to cater to the needs of the residents of the Misamis Oriental municipalities of Villanueva, Claveria, Tagoloan, Jasaan, Balingasag, Lagonglong and Salay, and Malitbog, in Bukidnon.
BBFI Villanueva Branch seeks to serve the 358,868 residents of these municipalities.
As of end December 2015, BBFI’s total asset is Php49,901,983 while its current asset is Php46,776,537. It’s 12,543 clients combined for a total client deposit of Php26,299,362 as of end December 2015.
Its exposed loan totaled Php7.4 million distributed to 536 clients.
However, it only has a net income of Php1,110,121 in 9 years of existence because “we are not focusing on how to increase our income but on how we can help our clients,” explained Joel “Jong” Zamayla, BBFI Carmen, CDO Branch manager.
Peña, for his part, narrated that BBFI is the fruit of a dream he, Hernandez and others nurtured for a long time—a dream that “one day, we will be able to help give voice to the poor and powerless so that they who do not have any participation can finally participate in the development process.”
As part of the opening ceremony, Rejas and Hernandez handed over the first loan releases to the first two persons “who put their trust BBFI even before we have a branch here”: Anecita Pongase, a vegetable retailer at the Villanueva Public Market; and Romy John Bonocan, a fruit vendor in Balingasag.
“Pagsugod og sulod nato diri sa Villanueva, sila ang misalig sa ato. Dako ang akong pasalamat kay bisan wala nila nakita ang atong opisina, misalig sila sa ato,” Rejas said.
The first 20 depositors also received mugs and other giveaways.
Pastor Camilo “Toto” Baconga officiated the blessing ceremony of the new BBFI Villanueva Branch, located at Door 6, 2/F New Villanueva Commercial District Corporation Building, Barangay Katipunan, Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.
“Dako ang among pasalamat sa Balay Mindanaw because of your programs for the farmers. Your program for the farmers is really amazing. We are very happy that BBFI is already here to help us mobilize our operations in Claveria. Thank you very much for this gift and help not only to us as depositors but also to the people there [in Claveria],” said Ma. Kristina Ador, agricultural program coordinator of PMFTC.
During the Awards Night of the very first Balay Mindanaw Group Awards on May 27 at Centrio Mall for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI), BBFI will also launch its new products specifically designed to meet the needs of its growing clientele.
These new products are educational loan, investment loan, vehicle loan, farm production loan, home improvement loan, and check accommodation loan.
While still to be launched, PMFTC’s Ador is happy with the check accommodation loan as this will ensure that tobacco farmers will no longer have to travel to Cagayan de Oro City to have their checks encashed.
But unlike other banks, BBFI will encash the PMFTC checks of tobacco farmers at prevailing charges but with the proviso that they deposit a small amount to their savings accounts.
“Kung walay mo-abay para magtigum, sigurado hurot gyud na,” said Rejas.
BBFI Villanueva Branch is manned by Amorelle Rejas (manager), Chary Jane Nalagon (bookkeeper), Cynthia Rose Natividad (cashier), Jhonnen Colim (account officer), and Gary Marlon Ibali (account officer).
Carmen Branch is manned by Joel Zamayla (manager), Sarah Mae Jangao (bookkeeper), Flordeliz Abesamis (cashier), Renalyn Galarrita (teller), account officers Roy Abella, Isidro Aranzo Jr., Mario Saluta, and Clint Labajo.
The “mother” BBFI in Gingoog City is composed of Gemma Emata (manager), Geraldine Badana (teller), and account officers Darwin Sambalod, Christopher Sumampan, Jovencio Jamero, and Cris Alonte. (Bong D. Fabe)