The event brought together leaders of cooperatives, farmer‑groups, local government units, and other stakeholders. The Kasanyangan Agriculture Cooperative (KACOOP) was represented by its Chairperson and Vice‑Chairperson, reflecting the cooperative’s commitment to engaging in local leadership forums and forging collaborations.
LOOK| KMFI, represented by its President and CEO, Ms. Mercedes G. Faustino, had attended the Oradian Customer Summit 2025 last October 9, 2025 at The Ascot BGC, Manila.
The activity was facilitated by the KMFI – WEE SAFE Project, funded by the European Union through the Bangsamoro Agri-Fishery Programme (EU-BAEP). It was participated in by the officers and members of three (3) fisherfolk organizations namely; Luksumbang Fish Workers Association (LFWA), Balas Fish Workers Association (BFWA), and Tumakid Agri-Fishery Association (TAFA), engaged in fresh catch fishing and marketing.
The primary objective of the activity was to enhance the technical competencies of fisherfolk in the proper use and maintenance of fishing gear and equipment to improve catch efficiency and productivity. It also aimed to build awareness and promote compliance with existing fishery laws, policies, and sustainable coastal resource management practices, thereby encouraging greater community participation in resource monitoring and protection. Furthermore, the training sought to strengthen market integration and planning skills to help fisherfolk improve income opportunities and expand the market reach of their fresh catch products.
The activity was formally opened with welcome remarks delivered by Ms. Pamela Joy B. Nandu, Project Officer of the WEE SAFE Project. The session featured Mr. Abdurasul Sarail, Chief Aquaculturist of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), who served as the resource person and shared his valuable technical expertise with the participating fisherfolk of Lamitan City. Also in attendance was Ms. Esther Domingo, City Agriculturist of Lamitan City, who conveyed her full support for the WEE SAFE Project and its continuing efforts to uplift the livelihoods and strengthen the capacities of local fishing communities.
Small hands can make a big wave. Every piece of trash we pick up is a step toward a cleaner, healthier ocean.
In Celebration of Cooperative’s Month, KACOOP proudly joined the coastal clean-up to show that cooperation goes beyond business — it’s about caring for our communities and the environment too. Held at Bouelvard, Cawa-cawa Zamboanga City.
Learning about financial literacy helps individuals make informed and effective decisions with all of their financial resources and it also has the ability to understand and effectively use financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing. Last September 9, 2025 Mr. Edgardo F. Faustino (KFI Vice President) Facilitated the Financial Literacy Training for Cooperative held at Monmon’s Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. It was attended by 36 cooperative leaders, comprising the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Bookkeeper and Auditor.
The 𝗘𝗨 𝗕𝗔𝗘𝗣 through the 𝗞𝗠𝗙𝗜–𝗪𝗘𝗘-𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁, in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE)–Basilan and the City Agriculture Office–Lamitan, successfully held a one-day orientation at Lamitan Plaza Restaurant. The session focused on the WEE-SAFE Project, MOLE’s programs, and registration requirements for Small Rubber Grower Associations and farm workers in Lamitan City.
The activity was led by MOLE Basilan Provincial Director, Ms. Amna Farrah Alihuddin who served as the main resource person for MOLE-related topics. Support was also provided by Ms. Ester Domingo and her team from the Lamitan City Agriculture Office, ensuring participants received accurate and relevant information.
This initiative aimed to equip grassroots organizations with a clear understanding of MOLE’s
registration process empowering them with legal identity and unlocking access to government programs, services, and economic opportunities.
A total of 17 Rubber Smallholder Grower Associations from various barangays actively participated, represented by their officers. These included: Balobo, Colonia, Balas, Baungus, Ulame, Arco, Look, Malo-ong San Jose, Malo-ong Canal, Danit Puntukan, Cabobo, Baimbing, Tumakid, Sabong, Buahan, Calugusan, and Campo Uno.
This orientation marks a significant step toward strengthening community-based organizations and ensuring they are well-prepared to thrive within formal development frameworks.
Our KMFI President – Ms. Mercedes Faustino, KFI Vice President – Mr. Edgardo Faustino and KMBA General Manager – Ms. Ma. Teresa Gonzales, along with some of our dedicated officers, recently attended the 3-day Microfinance MBA Association Forum in Kalibo, Aklan, from August 27-29, 2025. the forum’s theme, “Mi-MBAs: Driving, Thriving, Transforming,” provided us with valuable insights to better serve our members and strengthen our micro insurance
It was a productive day of learning and sharing best practices aimed at uplifting the lives of our members.
The KMFI team conducted a meaningful visit to the following cooperatives:
• Sta. Ana MPC – SAMULCO
• El Grande MPC
• Magasige MPC
Truly an enriching experience that fosters collaboration, innovation, and continuous growth in the microfinance community.
The KMFI team attended the MCPI Annual Conference held on July 30–31, 2025, at Century Park Hotel, Manila. The event gathered key microfinance stakeholders to discuss vital developments and issues shaping the sector.
With the theme “Microfinance and Sustainable Finance for the Poor,” the conference emphasized the crucial role of microfinance in helping communities build assets, increase income, and become more resilient against the impacts of climate change.
KMFI President and CEO Ms. Mercy Faustino served as one of the resource speakers, sharing valuable insights on fraud prevention and restoring clients’ trust — reinforcing KMFI’s strong commitment to transparency and client protection.
The KMFI President & CEO, together with the MIS Officer, are participating in the MiDAS Training at the ADB Building, Mandaluyong City.
This training focuses on understanding the system’s overall workflow, highlights key data for smarter decision-making, and introduces new updates on API integrations and enhanced Fraud Protection features, gearing us toward a more secure and data-driven future.
