DA-10 in collaboration with ACPC spearheads a financial education training for Bukidnon farmers.

 

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan in collaboration with the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) staged the Kapital at Ipon Tungo sa Asenso (KITA Mo Na!) Financial Education (Fin-Ed) Training, on May 22, in Dalwangan, here.

Held at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, around 32 farmer loan borrowers from the Philippine International Travel Assistance Center Multipurpose Cooperative (PITAC MPC) joined the activity to learn and understand the financial implications of their decisions and on how to mitigate risks associated with financial management.

Pursuant to DA Department Order No. 7, series of 2023 or the nationwide adoption of KITA Mo Na!, which directs the Regional and Provincial Loan Facilitation Teams (R-LoFTs and PLoFTs) to adopt and implement the Fin-Ed game for ACPC beneficiaries as part of the regular training program of the Department to farmers and fisherfolk.

According to ACPC Information Officer Karlo Abarquez, the KITA MO Na! Fin-Ed game is an educational and interactive simulation game for small farmers, fisherfolk, and livestock raisers which attempts to mimic the real-life events that influence the daily financial decisions of farmers and their families.

“Through this, the participants will learn basic personal financial management skills such as saving, budgeting, managing debt, credit discipline, basic financial services, protection from potential scams, and the rights and responsibilities of financial consumers,” he conveyed.

Meanwhile, PITAC MPC Acting Loan Officer Romel G. Baylomo expressed his appreciation for the activity that equips their loan borrowers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage their finances.

“We express our utmost gratitude to DA and ACPC for providing such valuable training that has a significant impact on the lives of our farmer loan borrowers. The training sessions conducted have proven to be immensely beneficial, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their agricultural practices and financial management,” he said.

As a gesture of gratitude, Exequias D. Cosido, a farmer-member of Mauswagon Farmers Association (MAFA) said, “Nagpapasalamat ako sa programa ng ating gobyerno, lalo na sa DA at ACPC, sa kanilang tulong at paggabay, partikular sa mga magsasaka na katulad ko nanahaharap sa mga hamong pinansyal upang mapanatili ang aming mga aktibidad sa pagsasaka. Salamat sa training na ito, dahil natutunan ko kung paano gamitin sa hustong pamamaraan ang pera at kung paano maging isang business-minded na tao.”

The KITA Mo Na!, developed by the DA-ACPC, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the BDO Foundation, is an interactive training structured around six key messages for farmers and fishers. These include being wise with debt, increasing income through business ventures and additional skills, saving for the future, being insured to be protected, being critical to avoid scams, and being nurturing to the environment.

Further, said initiative is also anchored on Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr.’s comprehensive plan to make farming and fisheries a more bankable investment industry.

Same activity was also conducted in Balingoan, Misamis Oriental the following day for the 31 farmer loan borrowers of KAMADA ARC cooperative.# (RDME)