Program to empower PWDs, marginalized people pushed

CEBU, Philippines - Maybank Philippines, Inc., (MPI) recently introduced the Reach Independence and Sustainable Entrepreneurship (RISE) program in Metro Cebu to help PWDs (persons with disabilities) and marginalized individuals to become entrepreneurs.

Maybank International chief executive officer (CEO) Pollie Sim, together with the bank's executives, were in Cebu recently to start a culture of entrepreneurship among the disadvantaged community, in close coordination with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Empowering the PWDs to become their own boss, and achieve financial independence, is the core goal of the five-year program, said Sim in a press conference.

"Our commitment to supporting and empowering the disadvantageous, especially PWDs, is very much in line with Maybank's mission of humanizing financial services. We believe that in helping all segments of the community to gain financial independence can contribute to the overall prosperity and sustainability of the society at large," revealed Maybank Foundation chief executive officer Shahril Azuar Jimin.

This foreign bank, which has been operating in the Philippines for 20 years, is expanding its reach to provide financial services not just to the people who have financial capabilities to build their own businesses and expand their financial gain, but more importantly this time to people who are usually left behind in the "race" due to physical disabilities.

"We will not leave anybody behind," added Sim explaining that tapping a professional mentor in this kind of program, such as the People Systems Consultancy, over a thousand Filipino PWDs are expected to make history in their respective communities, as successful entrepreneurs in the future.

Maybank Foundation is pouring in initial P6 million budget for the RISE program in the Philippines targeting to uplift the lifestyle of at least 1,200 PWDs (with attitude and potential) around the country in five years.

The program, which has been successfully implemented in Malaysia and Indonesia, was officially launched in Metro Manila in January this year, with 117 PWDs undergoing mentorship.

"Financial inclusion is still at a relative low level in ASEAN, especially among the disabled and marginalized. Taking this advocacy is Maybank's way of supporting the bigger regional agenda of furthering financial inclusion across ASEAN," Sim said.

In Metro Cebu, PWDs registered in cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Talisay are initial beneficiaries of this special entrepreneurship program. Applicants are carefully screened by professionals. Right attitude and enthusiasm to succeed are two primary requirements for the program.

Participants will be trained on how to do business and manage their finances. Maybank is not giving dole-out money to potential entrepreneurs, instead they will be taught how to source capital and grow their businesses regardless of sizes.

Maybank has 80 branches in the Philippines, four of which are located in Metro Cebu. (FREEMAN)