PHILGUARANTEE backs CARD Inc.’s P3.5 B financing to support financing opportunities in agriculure sector

Held at the prestigious Asian Institute of Management - Dado Banatao Incubator, this event serves as the cornerstone for startups, innovators, and industry leaders. The Asian Institute of Management - Dado Banatao Incubator (AIM-DBI) has been at the forefront of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the Philippines. Known for its unparalleled commitment to startup success, it’s no surprise that AIM-DBI has taken up the mantle of facilitating this monumental movement in the auto tech and mobility space.

The recent founding members meeting held at AIM-DBI witnessed these innovators gather to discuss, debate, and devise a blueprint for a more connected and efficient future. Their discussions were not just about technology but also about the economic, environmental, and societal implications of these advancements. The objective was clear: to cultivate an environment where startups, innovators, and industry giants can collaborate, innovate, and drive the nation forward.

The Roundtable ATM isn’t just another networking event; it’s a vision-casting session. It is the genesis of what is envisioned to be the Auto Tech and Mobility Startups Association of the Philippines. But why is such an association vital?

The auto tech and mobility sectors are uniquely positioned. Their growth is not just representative of technological progress but also holds the potential to impact broader socio-economic dimensions. Think of improved urban mobility solutions easing daily commutes, or the potential for green vehicles reducing the carbon footprint. These advancements hold the promise to transform cities, lifestyles, and economies. Hence, creating a unified voice in the form of an association can pave the way for collaborative progress, pushing boundaries and setting new industry standards.

Yet, the journey to such an integrated future has its challenges. Startups, despite their innovative ideas, often struggle to find the right market fit or scale their operations. On the other hand, established industry players might grapple with adapting to rapidly evolving tech trends. This roundtable, themed “Gear Up for the Future,” is all about bridging these gaps. It provides a platform where challenges are not just discussed but solutions are collaboratively built. But what can participants expect from the roundtable?

1. Insightful Discussions: With a diverse pool of attendees from different segments of the auto tech and mobility sectors, expect rich, multifaceted discussions that cover a broad spectrum of industry challenges and opportunities.

2. Networking Opportunities: This isn’t about exchanging business cards but about building relationships. From startup founders to industry stalwarts, the event promises interactions that could lead to potential partnerships, investments, or even mentorships.

3. Shaping the Future: One of the primary objectives of the roundtable is to lay the foundational stones for the Auto Tech and Mobility Startups Association. Participants have a unique opportunity to be part of this nascent stage, influencing the direction and objectives of this proposed association.

4. Expert Inputs: From navigating regulatory challenges to understanding market dynamics, industry experts will share their insights, providing startups with invaluable guidance.

“Gear Up for the Future: One Roundtable at a Time” is not just a theme; it’s a clarion call. It embodies the spirit of collaboration, urging industry stakeholders to come together and shape the trajectory of the auto tech and mobility sectors.

In conclusion, the Roundtable Auto Tech & Mobility is more than an event; it’s a movement. It recognizes the pivotal role collaboration plays in pushing the boundaries of innovation. As we gear up for this future, this roundtable stands as a testament to the power of collective effort. After all, the journey towards a technologically-driven, sustainable future is not a solo ride but a shared drive.

STATE-OWNED Philippine

Guarantee

Corporation (PHILGUARANTEE)

and the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) Inc. forged a guarantee agreement to support financing opportunities that will benefit CARD’s twomillion strong members, while promoting sustainable agriculture practices and driving economic growth in rural areas.

“Today’s agreement demonstrates the commitment of both organizations to support and uplift these crucial sectors and the hardworking individuals and communities they represent,” PHILGUARANTEE President and CEO Alberto Pascual remarked during the signing ceremonies held last July 31 in Makati City. PCEO Pascual was joined by CARD Chairperson Emeritus Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, Chairperson Lorenza Bañez, Executive Director Vicente Briones Jr., and other officers of the organization.

PHILGUARANTEE SVP Emmanuel Torres and VP Teresito Cayo Butardo represented the Agriculture Guarantee Group (AGG) during the signing of the partnership accord.

Around P3.5 billion worth of agri-loans is projected to be released by CARD to be enrolled for Agricultural Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP) guarantee coverage, with an estimated 179,027 SFFs to benefit from the partnership.

Dr. Alip expressed optimism that CARD will be able to further their agricultural lending pursuits in the countryside.

“We are very happy to have this signing ceremony. I think PHILGUARANTEE is in the best position to help us achieve our objectives, and we are committed to supporting the program, especially benefitting the agriculture sector,” he said.

Established in 1986, CARD, Inc. is one of the largest micro-finance non-government organizations in the Philippines, led by Dr. Alip, with 1,554 offices in 82 provinces nationwide, and an asset size of P18.0 Billion by end-December 2022. With the partnership, CARD becomes one of PHILGUARANTEE’s strong partner lending institutions with the objective of enhancing micro enterprise development and growth.

As of March 31, 2023, it has provided P9.6 billion in loans to its clients.

As of June 30, 2023, PHILGUARANTEE approved guarantee cover on loans to the agriculture sector among its 58 partner lending institutions amounting to P3.82 billion. From September 1, 2019 during the effectivity of the merger of Philippine guarantee programs and agencies as directed by EO 58, s. 2018 up to June 30, 2023, more than 170,000 farmers and fisher beneficiaries have been supported by PHILGUARANTEE agriculture credit guarantees, thru its forerunner Agriculture Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP) facilities.

In 2022, PHILGUARANTEE supported 39,811 agri-based workers thru the AGFP guarantees, with P4.83 billion volume of loans guaranteed. For his part, Torres lauded the partnership, noting that the guarantee to be provided represents the unwavering commitment of both institutions to uplift the agriculture sector, through the support that will be extended for those “unsung heroes of the nation.”

“Through the PHILGUARANTEE AGFP guarantee, we create a safety net that enables our partner financial institutions like CARD to continue investing in our smallholders,” SVP Torres explained.

As the administrator of the AGFP, PHILGUARANTEE encourages lending institutions to extend unsecured agricultural production loans to SFFs or their organizations. Eligible lending institutions include banks, cooperatives, farmers or people’s organizations other than cooperatives, non-government organizations, and corporations lending to SFFs. The PHILGUARANTEE AGFP credit facility refers to loans granted for the following activities: agriculture and fisheries production including processing of fisheries and agri-based products and farm inputs; acquisition of work animals, farm and fishery equipment and machinery; acquisition of seeds, fertilizers, poultry, livestock, feeds and other similar items; rehabilitation of farms resulting from calamities; and agricultural and fish production including processing of agri and aqua-based products, farm inputs and/ or processes across the food commodity value chain. Beneficiaries of the guarantee programs of the agency include those women in business and those women beneficiaries, as an advocacy of gender inclusiveness and equality.

Through EO 58, PHILGUARANTEE, the Principal Agency for State Guarantee Finance of the Philippines, remains committed to enhancing the capability of the government to provide sovereign guarantees to socio-economic sectors.

NANOACE Japan, an environment friendly self-cleaning solution for all spaces, is now available in the Philippines

DRAWING on the concept of peace of mind (PoM) as a result of the pandemic which sparked a major global crisis has infected public social mentality. People are now more mindful of the importance of health and put extensive measures to preserve life.

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Last August 8, 2013, at the Eastwood Richmond Hotel marked the launching of NANOACE Philippines. Graced by honored guests from different government agencies and private enterprises, the stakeholders headed by Honey Iwamoto, the President and CEO of NANOACE Philippines unveiled this green technology that brings peace of mind (PoM) to every home, churches, offices, schools, hotels and public transportations and much more. Due to the NANOACE Solution’s particle size of 2 NANOMETER (1/50), efficacy is greatly enhanced - making application hold and adhesion effectively tight. Moreover, the NANOACE catalytic best feature is its SELFCLEANING mechanism which continues over a long term of 12 months or more solely through light.

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