NAGA CITY, Dec. 22 (PIA) --- The Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal Foundation (CCMF) Bicol honored its empowered women and their big role in shaping the economy in a simple yet notable ceremony held over the weekend at the Jesse M. Robredo (JMR) Coliseum here.
All the key players and officials of the Foundation also graced the occasion with their presence as a testimony of their untiring support and commitment to alleviate poverty particularly here in the region and provide pro-poor programs that will sustain the community’s need for economic stability.
Speaking before a multitude of almost 8,000 beneficiaries, CCMF Board of Trustees President Atty. Gizela M. Montinola lauded their women-beneficiaries for being the foundation’s active partners in pursuing development and by engaging in projects that will fight poverty through responsible entrepreneurship.
“I’m happy to see all of you here. There are so many women in the Coliseum. This means that in the field of micro-finance, indeed women are enterprising. CCMF will not succeed if not for you. We will not succeed in what we’re doing if not for you. Your triumph is our triumph. I think, and as I see it, you’re all lucky not because of us, but because of your perseverance and your effort,” Montinola added.
The lady President also took the opportunity to challenge the members to do three things: first, to realize the “Pay it forward” scheme which means to help others since they were also blessed, and find someone that they can also help; second, to love their work and third, love their neighbor and their country for it is in these three essences of life’s values that prosperity and total development will happen.
Fr. Wilmer S. Tria, CCMF-Bicol Chief Executive Officer (CEO) gave his words of thanks to everyone for continuously giving their support to the programs of CCMF and vowed that the Foundation will continue to exist to empower more and more indigent people through their programs.
Fr. Tria announced the expansion of the CCMF-Bikol Microfinance Program to the Rinconada Area which includes, among others the towns of Iriga, Buhi, Baao, Nabua, and Bula. He added that CCMF is targeting 15,000 members before the end of 2015. Currently, CCMMF has 8,844 microfinance members.
City Mayor John Bongat was also invited to grace the occasion. The Chief Executive was all hats up to the accomplishments of CCMF, most specially for serving as a tool for community transformation.
“This is a classic example of a partnership and “pagtatarabangan” ( helping each other) . There is the academe, the Ateneo de Naga, there is the private sector – the CCMF. We are being taught on how we, the private sector and the government can help in the development of our community, our province, and our nation. The bonus here is that, we have the support of the church, not only to help us to be responsible citizens or Filipinos, but to help us realize that we have a responsibility to also help the government thru our own effort,” Bongat stated.
Under this year’s “Durungan sa Pag-Uswag, sa Hawak asin Kalag” theme which means “total development, in body and soul, Archbishop of Caceres Most Rev. Rolando Tria Tirona focused on the value of sharing which is the very purpose of the blessings and graces received from God. He emphasized the role of prayer to deepen our relationship with God and the devotion to Mother Mary as our model to our modern society.
CCMF-Bikol), a subsidiary organization of the CONSUELO “CHITO” MADRIGAL FOUNDATION (CCMF), began operations in 2004. This was after the late Doña Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal approved the grant of Php 200M for Bikol as her way of sharing her blessings to the poor segment of the society. The initial phase started off with then Ateneo President Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ.
The partnership was even strengthened when Dona Consuelo learned that the late Archbishop Emeritus Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, O.P.,D.D. belonged to the Dominican Order, she extended the service of her Foundation to Bicol. Accounts says that her family owed so much to the Dominicans because her father, Vicente Madrigal, used to be Dominican scholar at San Juan de Letran. The rest is history.
CCMF will continue to empower the less privileged by giving them a decent place to live in, a job that they can be proud of and a community where love and harmony exist. (LSMacatangay, PIAV/Camarines Sur)
