The Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) welcomed anew its program partner Appui au Developpement Autonome (ADA) of Luxembourg for a week-long mission trip to the Philippines.
On July 27 to August 3, 2023, the MCPI-ADA team met with the three microfinance institution partners of the Green Inclusive Finance (GIF) initiative. Each MFI partner presented its proposed green loan products under the initiative. Bangko Kabayan introduced the Sustainable Ani Loan for farming inputs and the Sustainable Agri Business Builder Loan for agricultural machinery and infrastructure. Kabuhayan sa Ganap na Kasarinlan Credit and Savings Cooperative (K-Coop) K-Bahay GREEnS Loan gives credit access to members who intend to purchase energy efficient appliances or build or convert their dwellings into green homes. Rangtay sa Pagrang-ay Microfinance Inc. (RPMI)’s Agricultural Development Program (ADP) Green Loans are intended to be used in farming activities that contribute to the mitigation of the impacts of climate change.
One of the highlights of the mission is the visit to clients of the MFI partners. The team visited the homes of K-Coop clients in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan who practice composting and urban gardening, and who made improvements for more energy efficient homes. They also paid a call to five farmer clients who started their demonstration farms that showcase sustainable practices and green technologies. Three of the farmers, all in Quezon province, are clients of Bangko Kabayan. One farmer has installed drip irrigation in his farm, the other has started organic eggplant farming, and the third switched to non-GMO corn production. Two clients of RPMI have also established their demonstration farms – a solar aerator system for fresh water prawn culture in Nueva Vizcaya and solar lighting for lapu-lapu fish cages in Pangasinan.
The GIF initiative is a partnership of MCPI, ADA, and the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development of Luxembourg.