DAR, NNC renew partnership for “Tutok Kainan”

By JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA
January 18, 2024

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) sealed a new partnership agreement in the implementation of NNC’s “Tutok Kainan” Dietary Supplementation Program in Eastern Visayas yesterday morning (January 17).

DAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director, Robert Anthony Yu, and NNC Nutrition Program Coordinator, Catalino Dotollo Jr. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in a simple ceremony held at the DAR Regional Office to continue its partnership in the implementation of the phase six of the “Tutok Kainan.”

Dotollo explained that nutritionally at-risk pregnant women from 54 municipalities in the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar are the recipients of phase six of the said program.

Under this engagement, DAR will recommend agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) that are proximate to the above identified areas capable of supplying fresh farm products, while NNC will serve as a direct market buying fresh food items from the ARBOs needed in the preparation of supplemental food for pregnant women.

According to Dotollo, “With our ‘Tutok Kainan,’ we also want our ARBOs to have income while addressing malnutrition and hunger among our children and pregnant women. It’s hitting two birds with our engagement with the DAR through their respective ARBOs.”

“Based on experience, our engagement with ARBOs is better,” said Dotollo. “Kasi presko talaga ang mga pagkain na ibibigay sa ating mga target clientele,” he added.

Last year, eight ARBOs from the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar and Northern Samar were able to enter into a marketing agreement with NNC in the amount of P10.2 million for the phase three and five of “Tutok Kainan.”

Meanwhile, Yu commented, NNC’s Tutok Kainan, “is a golden opportunity to establish new industries paving a way to new projects, and other enterprises to cater the entrepreneurial needs of our ARBs and ARBOs.”

Agusan del Norte farmers seek to boost harvest processing capacity with new equipment

By ICRC
January 18, 2024

MAKATI CITY – Around 107 families from the suburbs of Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, some of whom have been displaced by conflict, are set to improve their harvest processing capacity after receiving post-harvest machinery from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Residents of Sitio Lusong in Barangay Puting Bato received a corn sheller and corn mill from the ICRC during a handover ceremony in December 2023, which was also attended by officials of the local government unit and the City Agriculture Office of Cabadbaran. The ICRC worked with the provincial government of Agusan del Norte in completing the project.

The corn sheller is used to quickly and efficiently separate kernels of the corn from the cob. The corn kernel is processed into fine powder by grinding it in the corn mill. The new farming equipment will be operated by the farmers’ association.

At least 37 families living in Barangay Puting Bato were displaced from their original homes due to armed conflict. They lost their sources of income and are in the process of rebuilding through farming, with the help of the local government and ICRC.

Apart from the equipment, the displaced families and host residents received food rations, farm tools, and seeds such as maize, beans and squash. Last year, 107 households were trained by the ICRC and the City Agriculture Office of Cabadbaran on contouring techniques, inter-cropping and post-harvest management techniques. It was also in 2023 when the ICRC completed the rehabilitation of the village’s water supply system.

“Armed conflicts leave severe humanitarian consequences on civilians, such as the loss of jobs and livelihood. We hope that these farm tools leave a positive impact on the lives of the people, and pave the way for them to have a brighter future,” says Ishfaq Muhammad Khan, head of the ICRC’s Butuan office.

The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering, often alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.

About 1 in every 4 families in Eastern Visayas is poor

By PSA-8
January 18, 2024

TACLOBAN CITY – Poverty incidence among families in Eastern Visayas in the first semester of 2023 was estimated at 26.1 percent. This implies that in the first semester of 2023, about 1 in every 4 families in the region was poor or have income that were below the poverty threshold, or the amount needed to buy their basic food and non-food needs.

In the first semester of 2023, poverty incidence among families in Samar was estimated at 35.8 percent; Eastern Samar at 35.6 percent; Northern Samar at 27.5 percent; Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) at 23.8 percent; Southern Leyte at 16.6 percent; and Biliran at 13.2 percent.

Significant improvements in poverty situation among families between the first semester of 2021 and first semester of 2023 were noted in Biliran, Leyte (excluding Tacloban City), and Southern Leyte. Poverty incidence among families in Biliran dropped to 13.2 percent in the first semester of 2023 from 22.4 percent in the first semester of 2021. The province of Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) registered 23.8 percent poverty incidence among families in the first semester of 2023, lower than the 31.3 percent in the first semester of 2021. Poverty incidence among families in Southern Leyte decreased to 16.6 percent in the first semester of 2023 from 25.5 percent in the same semester of 2021.

Given the new master sample, PSA was able to generate reliable statistics down to the provincial level as well as for highly urbanized cities (HUCs). Poverty incidence among families for Tacloban City, the lone HUC in the region, was recorded at 13.2 percent in the first semester of 2023.

Around 34 out of 100 individuals in Eastern Visayas are poor

Poverty incidence among population in Eastern Visayas in the first semester of 2023 was estimated at 33.7 percent. This implies that in the first semester of 2023, around 34 in every 100 individuals in the region belong to the poor population whose per capita income was not sufficient to buy their minimum basic food and non-food needs.

In the first semester of 2023, poverty incidence among population in Eastern Samar was estimated at 44.9 percent; Samar at 43.5 percent; Northern Samar at 36.2 percent; Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) at 31.3 percent; Southern Leyte at 23.8 percent; and Biliran at 19.7 percent.

Significant improvements in poverty situation among population between the first semester of 2021 and first semester of 2023 were noted in Biliran, Leyte (excluding Tacloban City), and Southern Leyte. Poverty incidence among population in Biliran dropped to 19.7 percent in the first semester of 2023 from 30.7 percent in the first semester of 2021. The province of Leyte (excluding Tacloban City), registered 31.3 percent poverty incidence among population in the first semester of 2023, lower than the 39.1 percent in the first semester of 2021. Poverty incidence among population in Southern Leyte decreased to 23.8 percent in the first semester of 2023 from 31.7 percent in the same semester of 2021.

Poverty incidence among population in Tacloban City in the first semester of 2023 was recorded at 19.2 percent.

Subsistence Incidence among Families

The subsistence incidence among families in Eastern Visayas in the first semester of 2023 significantly decreased to 10.9 percent from the 13.2 percent subsistence incidence among families in the first semester of 2021. This figure means that in the first semester of 2023, approximately 1 in every 10 families in the region have income below the food threshold or the amount needed to buy their basic food needs and satisfy the nutritional requirements set by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) to ensure that one remains economically and socially productive.

In the first semester of 2023, subsistence incidence among families in Eastern Samar was estimated at 19.2 percent; Samar at 17.7 percent; Northern Samar at 11.9 percent; Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) at 8.3 percent; Southern Leyte at 4.9 percent and Biliran at 3.5 percent.

Significant decreases in subsistence incidence among families between the first semester of 2021 and first semester of 2023 were noted in Biliran, Leyte (excluding Tacloban City), and Southern Leyte. Subsistence incidence among families in Biliran declined to 3.5 percent in the first semester of 2023 from 8.7 percent in the first semester of 2021. The province of Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) registered 8.3 percent subsistence incidence among families in the first semester of 2023, lower than the 16.0 percent in the first semester of 2021. Subsistence incidence among families in Southern Leyte went down to 4.9 percent in the first semester of 2023 from 10.4 percent in the first semester of 2021. On the other hand, subsistence incidence among families in Northern Samar significantly increased to 11.9 percent in the first semester of 2023 from 7.1 percent in the first semester of 2021. Samar registered 17.7 percent subsistence incidence among families in the first semester of 2023, higher than the 11.7 percent in the first semester of 2021.

Subsistence incidence among families in Tacloban City in the first semester of 2023 was recorded at 3.5 percent.

Subsistence Incidence among Population

Subsistence incidence among population in Eastern Visayas in the first semester of 2023 was estimated at 14.9 percent. This translates that in the first semester of 2023, about 3 in every 20 individuals in the region have per capita income below the food threshold or the minimum amount needed to buy their basic food needs.

In the first semester of 2023, subsistence incidence among population in Eastern Samar was estimated at 25.0 percent; Samar at 23.1 percent; Northern Samar at 17.1 percent; Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) at 11.7 percent; Southern Leyte at 7.6 percent; and Biliran at 5.8 percent.

Significant decreases in subsistence incidence among population between the first semester of 2021 and first semester of 2023 were noted in Biliran, Leyte (excluding Tacloban City), and Southern Leyte. Subsistence incidence among population in Biliran dropped to 5.8 percent in the first semester of 2023 from 13.1 percent in the first semester of 2021. The province of Leyte (excluding Tacloban City), registered 11.7 percent subsistence incidence among population in the first semester of 2023, lower than the 21.1 percent in the first semester of 2021. Subsistence incidence among population in Southern Leyte decreased to 7.6 percent in the first quarter of 2023 from 13.9 percent in the first semester of 2021. On the other hand, subsistence incidence among population in Northern Samar significantly increased to 17.1 percent in the first semester of 2023 from 10.6 percent in the first semester of 2021. The province of Samar registered 23.1 percent subsistence incidence among population in the first semester of 2023, significantly higher than the 15.4 percent in the first semester of 2021.

Subsistence incidence among population in Tacloban City in the first semester of 2023 was recorded at 5.8 percent.

Food Threshold

In the first semester of 2023, a family of five in Eastern Visayas needed at least P8,955 per month, to meet the family’s basic food needs. This amount represents the average monthly food threshold for a family of five. This figure is 13.3 percent higher compared with the first semester 2021 level of P7,904.

In the first semester of 2023, the average monthly food threshold for a family of five in Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) was recorded at PhP 9,389; Southern Leyte and Eastern Samar both at P9,249; Northern Samar at P8,730; Biliran at P8,378; and Samar at P8,320.

Increases in food threshold between the first semester 2021 and first semester 2023 were observed in all provinces. Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) posted the biggest increase in food threshold at 19.8 percent.

Meanwhile, average monthly food threshold for a family of five in Tacloban City was estimated at P9,524 in the first semester of 2023. This registered an increase of 15.8 percent compared with its level in the same semester in 2021.

Poverty Threshold

The average monthly poverty threshold for a family of five in Eastern Visayas in the first semester of 2023 was estimated at P12,897, an increase of 14.2 percent from the first semester 2021 level of P11,292. This represents the amount needed every month to meet the family’s basic food and non-food needs.

In the first semester of 2023, the average monthly poverty threshold for a family of five in Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) was estimated at P13,428; Southern Leyte at P13,247; Eastern Samar at P13,246; Northern Samar at P12,517; Biliran at P11,938; and Samar at P11,925.

Increases in poverty threshold between the first semester of 2021 and first semester of 2023 were observed in all provinces, except in Biliran, which recorded a 0.2 percent decrease. Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) posted the biggest increase in poverty threshold at 19.6 percent.

Meanwhile, average monthly poverty threshold for a family of five in Tacloban City was estimated at P13,665 in the first semester of 2023. This registered an increase of 16.0 percent compared with its level in the same semester in 2021.

Clustering of Provinces based on Poverty Incidence

All provinces in the country were clustered from 1 to 5 using poverty incidence among families as the clustering variable. Cluster 1 comprises the bottom poor provinces and cluster 5 comprises the least poor provinces.

In the first semester of 2023, Samar moved one (1) cluster lower from its cluster category in the first semester of 2021. Biliran and Southern Leyte moved one (1) cluster higher from its cluster category in the first semester of 2021, while the rest of the provinces maintained their first semester 2021 cluster categories.

Biliran and Southern Leyte belonged to cluster category 4. Leyte (including Tacloban City) and Northern Samar were classified under cluster category 3. Meanwhile, Eastern Samar and Samar were under the cluster category 2

Successful military operation in Basey, Samar: NPA leader surrenders, high-powered firearms seized

By DPAO, 8ID PA
January 15, 2024

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – On January 15, 2024, the troops of the 63rd Infantry Battalion launched a successful operation resulting in the discovery of an arms cache linked to the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) at Sitio Bagti, Barangay Mabini, Basey Samar.

Acting on the revelation gathered from a recently surrendered NPA leader, the 63rd Infantry Battalion, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Lucio Janolino, discovered the concealed arms cache. The cache contained four AK47s, five upper receivers of an M16 rifle, five long magazines, and two disc type magazines of AK47.

Expressing gratitude for the surrendered CNT leader's cooperation and sincerity, Lt. Col. Janolino acknowledges the pivotal role such collaborations play in the ongoing efforts to end the local communist armed conflict. He extends an encouraging call for more surrenders, fostering hope for others in the CPP-NPA ranks will opt to lay down their arms and join the mainstream society.

Major General Camilo Z. Ligayo, the 8th Infantry Division Commander, commends the troops of the 63rd Infantry Battalion for their unwavering dedication and commendable efforts. Emphasizing the importance of collaborative endeavors, he states, "With the united efforts of various government agencies, civilians, and the relentless operations of the Army, we are poised to bring an end to this decades-long insurgency problem."

“This successful operation marks a significant stride towards achieving our collective goal of a peaceful and secure region. The continued collaboration between the military, former rebels and Local Government Units reinforces the belief that unity is essential in overcoming the challenges posed by the communist insurgency,” MajGen. Ligayo added.

Manila FAME brings in 6.6M USD of export sales in comeback show

By CITEM
January 15, 2024

PASAY CITY – The 40th edition of Manila FAME, a flagship sourcing event of the Department of Trade and Industry’s export promotion arm Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), generated $6.6 million export sales, which is a 51% increase from its last face-to-face edition in 2019.

Manila FAME was participated by over 200 local exhibitors of home, fashion, and lifestyle products and attracted more than 4,000 local and international visitors. The show also generated P44.7 million in domestic sales.

Coconut slippers from exhibitor Everything Green emerged as the top-selling export product with more than $3.3 million in negotiated sales. The coconut slippers were featured under the Coconut Pavilion, a collaboration of CITEM with the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) and the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) in an effort to make use of the rather discarded husk of the abundant natural material.

Design Commune, a curated showcase in Manila FAME of home and fashion pieces from CITEM’s product development program, featured 425 new designs produced by 40 local companies. This year’s edition of Design Commune was led by renowned product specialists Tony Gonzales, and the tandem of Rita Nazareno and Gabriel Lichauco.

“Through time, the Philippines became famous because our craftsmen and designers were able to come up every year with new designs, new ideas, and new ways of using the materials,” Gonzales shared. He curated home decor, lighting, and furniture pieces in collaboration with local brands.

Meanwhile, Nazareno and Lichauco came up with a concept they thought would resonate with many. “We incorporated a blend of utilitarian and anthropology, but in a quintessential, Filipino spin to everyday fashion items such as bags, wearables, and shoes among others.”

“In the special setting for Design Commune, we wanted the audience to feel like they’re at an anthropology exhibit,” Nazareno added.

A celebration of Philippine design excellence

Manila FAME honored outstanding and innovative product designs in this year’s edition during the KATHA Awards ceremony titled “Pagsibol: A Gala Night Celebrating Filipino Design Excellence” held at the National Museum of Natural History.

The ceremony recognized the best product designs in the following categories: furniture, home décor and houseware, lamps and lighting, holiday and gifts, and fashion.

The gala also had a fashion show segment that presented reimagined pieces from different time periods using indigenous fabrics and crafts; and a sartorial play on the Manila Carnival Queens. Jewelmer, a local fine jewelry manufacturer, also presented a collection of exquisite jewelry that pays homage to Philippine heritage and culture featuring the Golden South Sea Pearl. Pagsibol featured premier brands with curated fashion pieces that highlight and redefine modern Filipino artistry and craftsmanship.

Manila FAME exhibitors to showcase in international trade shows in early 2024

As the launching pad of Filipino manufacturers and artisans, Manila FAME traditionally starts the global promotion of locally made export-quality products. With the conclusion of the country’s premier trade show for quality home, fashion, and lifestyle products last October, international buyers and patrons can now look forward to seeing selected local exhibitors joining overseas trade fairs starting early next year under the banner DESIGNPhilippines.

Various Philippine furniture and lighting brands and visual artists are set to join the upcoming Paris-based trade show Maison et Objet on January 18-22, 2024.

Meanwhile, the successful debut of Antique and Quirino provinces in Manila FAME 2023 has prepared them for international participation, along with other seasoned manufacturers, in the upcoming trade fair Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany on January 26-30, 2024.

Seeking the support of local and international buyers for Philippine exhibitors within and beyond Manila FAME, CITEM Executive Director Dr. Edward L. Fereira encourages people in the industry to “keep the momentum and continue elevating Philippine enterprises as they try reaching various markets around the world.”

Manila FAME 2023 is organized in partnership with The Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), Philippine Airlines, Jewelmer, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) , DTI-EMB, The DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG), DCP, Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC), The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), The Province of La Union, and the Office of Sen. Loren Legarda.

UN Special Rapporteurs raise concerns on rights violations committed in PH using terror laws, counterinsurgency measures

Press Release
January 11, 2024

QUEZON CITY – Human rights alliance KARAPATAN welcomes the public issuance by six United Nations special rapporteurs led by UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights while Countering Terrorism Fionnuala Ni Aoilain of their communications sent on October 23, 2023 to the Marcos Jr. government calling attention to human rights violations committed in the course of implementing the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 and Executive Order 68 of 2018 (or the adoption of the National Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Strategy and Creation of the National AML/CFT Coordinating Committee).

The UN special rapporteurs had previously requested the Marcos Jr. regime to respond to their concerns within 60 days. Failing this, the rapporteurs said that they would publish their letter through their communications reporting website.

The letter, which was made public this January 2024, points to the Marcos Jr. regime's utter lack of interest in addressing the grave human rights issues cited by the rapporteurs. The letter was also signed by the UN special rapporteurs on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; the situation of human rights defenders; the rights of indigenous peoples; and on freedom of religion or belief.

The rapporteurs raised serious concern over reports that up to 24 individuals have been victimized and "multiple religious organisations and their members, as well as other direct service non-profit organisations have been affected by the alleged measures, in turn hindering access to Indigenous Peoples, internally displaced persons, human rights defenders, and women and children, to critical human rights and humanitarian services."

They pointed out concerns on the designation of certain non-State armed groups in non-international armed conflicts (such as the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army) as terrorists and linking the provision of humanitarian activities -- protection and assistance -- as a form of support for terrorism or to persons or entities designated as terrorists, saying this "result[s] in the lowering of fundamental human rights and humanitarian protections for the weakest and most vulnerable.”

The letter cited that on at least four occasions, the UN special rapporteurs had already communicated their concern to the Philippine government over several human rights violations committed in the context of counter-terrorism such as arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, killings, fabricated charges and judicial harassment. They further cited that in April 2020, they voiced their concern over the designation of individuals and civil society and humanitarian organizations as “terrorists” pursuant to the Anti-Terrorism Act, stating that this comprised discrimination directed at religious and other minorities. Moreover, concerns over allegations of judicial harassment and red-tagging of seven human rights defenders and Indigenous leaders of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) were similarly directed to the Marcos Jr. government in a letter in January 2023.

The escalating human rights violations documented by Karapatan, including the filing of terrorism financing charges against yet another development NGO, the Cebu-based CERNET, is a clear indicator that the Marcos Jr. regime is all talk and bluster in its claims of adhering to international human rights norms and covenants to which the Philippine government is a signatory.

Download: UN Special Rapporteurs letter to PBBM

Empowering stories: Highlights from the 2023 SineMaya Community Film Festival in Philippine Microfinance

By EDRIAN B. BANANIA
January 11, 2024

SAN PABLO CITY – The Sinemaya 2023: Community Film Festival recently concluded its second edition at SM City San Pablo in Laguna on December 10, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the Philippine microfinance industry.

In this edition, the festival showcased eight inspiring documentary films created by communities of various microfinance institutions in the Philippines. The films were screened in various SM Cinemas, including SM City Manila, SM City Iloilo, and SM City Cagayan de Oro on November 26, 2023.

The competing entrieswere: Letra by CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) MSU 2 Center from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; Isang libong hakbang para sa pangarap by CARD Bank Arawan 16 Center from Tiaong, Quezon; Dahon ng Pag-asa by CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc. Poblacion 13 Center from Cavinti, Laguna; Pangandoy by CARD SME Bank Salvacion 3P Center from Panabo City, Davao del Norte; Balo by ASA Philippines Purple Center from Alaminos, Laguna; Pagbangon ng Api by SEDP- Simbag sa Pag-asenso K25BG Center from Sorsogon; Bunga ng Pag-sisikap by People’s Alternative Livelihood Microfinance Foundation of Sorsogon, Inc. Padac Center from Sorsogon; and Kami ay babae, hindi babae lang by Negros Women For Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. Center 117 from Guimaras.

About SineMaya

SineMaya, organized by CARD MRI Publishing House, aims to share not only the stories of CARD MRI communities but also the broader impact of the microfinance industry on Filipino families and nation-building. Established in 2017, CARD Publishing aligns with the goal of creating inspiring narratives to support microfinance institutions’ mission of poverty eradication. The festival aims to tap into the creativity and artistry of microfinance clients and their families in filmmaking, providing training in scriptwriting and video editing to enhance production quality.

The theme for this year's film fest, "Pagbangon at Pag-asa: Kasangga ang MFI sa pagharap sa bagong simula", inspired participants to produce documentaries based on their real-life experiences.

In selecting the winners, the eight documentary films were deliberated by five judges composed of MiMAP Executive Director Mr. Jun Jay Perez, APPEND President and CEO Dr. Virginia ‘Jeng’ Juan, Light Tv Radio Executive Director Ms. Annie Bico Cristobal,Film Director and Storyteller Mr. Martin Cabrera, and CDC- UPLB Asst. Professor Mr. John Marvin Embate.

The winners

Pangandoy emerged as the Best Film and bagged the Best Director award. Expressing gratitude, the documentary film’s director Mie Baring highlighted the festival's role in showcasing the talents and skills of microfinance clients beyond their entrepreneurial endeavors. “We are grateful that clients like us were given the chance to showcase our talents and skills aside from being microentrepreneurs,” said Baring.

The documentary film Balo secured the 2nd Best Film and earned awards for Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography and the Founder’s Excellence Award.

Meanwhile, Dahon ng Pag Asa bagged the 3rd Best Film.

Recognizing the holistic approach of microfinance institutions in community development, several films received Community Development Awards in categories such as Resiliency, Education, Women Empowerment, and Financial Inclusion. Below is the full list of winners:

- Community Development Award for Resiliency: Ang Pagbangon ng Api

- Community Development Award for Education: Isang libong hakbang para sa pangarap

- Community Development Award for Women Empowerment: Bunga ng Pag-sisikap

- Community Development Award for Financial Inclusion: Letra

The People's Choice Award, determined by votes from the viewers on November 26, 2023, was awarded to "Letra”. The film also bagged the Founder's Excellence Award.

Moreover, Rynzel Joy Gamarcha of Kami ay Babae, Hindi Babae Lang won the Young Creator Award and the Managing Director’s Choice Award.

The winners received trophies and certificates, products from Mga Likha ni Inay and CARD Astro Laboratories, international trips, and cash prizes.

The 2024 edition of the SineMaya Community Film Fest has been broadened, announced Ms. Marilyn M. Manila, President of CARD MRI Publishing House. This year, not only Philippine microfinance institutions but also those in the Southeast Asian Region can partake in the festival.