My warmest greetings in the celebration of the 26th Mindanao Credit and Management Conference!
Your theme for this year, “MINDANAO: Haven for RB’s Progress in Philippine Economy” aptly reflects the dynamism of the rural banking industry and RBs’ relentless commitment to countryside development through the values of good governance, risk management and capital adequacy awareness. It properly brings to focus the leadership of Mindanao in the national microfinance activities and innovations that help transform the lives of borrowers and the economies of the local communities.
Rural banks are indispensable partners of the government in economic development and we are greatly challenged by the advocacy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to alleviate poverty and solve the perennial problem of unemployment in the country. Alongside with this, RBAP was chosen to head the Sub-committee on Capacity Building for Microfinance Institutions of the National Committee for the Philippine Participation in the International Year of Microcredit 2005. To fulfill these responsibilities, we will strive to institutionalize capability-building activities for our member banks in order to improve their products and services and expand microfinance lending and savings generation.
RBAP is indeed happy to note that the Mindanao region continues to outshine the other providers in the microfinance drama unfolding in the countryside thus giving recognition to rural banks’ role in nation-building through good governance and banking best practices.
Mabuhay!
SENEN D. GLORIOSO
RBAP President, 2004-2005
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