RSPI RETREAT 2014

Every year, RSPI holds a year starter retreat for both the staff and the Board of Trustees. This is a once in a year activity where the staff would pause for a while and find time to focus on their walk with GOD.

The speaker of this year’s retreat was Mr. Henry L. Caluya who is known as one of the lay leaders of the United Methodist Church in Baguio, a much sought-over trainer-facilitator and the Chairman of the Board of RSPI. The theme of this retreat is “CRISIS MANAGEMENT”.

The retreat was attended by 306 board of trustees and staff and 12 Transformation Volunteer Officers (TVO).

Rangtay sa Pagrang-ay Year 2010 

A leadership training coordinated by APPEND and hosted by PALFSI at Camsur. The aim of this camp is to equip the leaders of the different Christian micro-finance institutions in their quest to share the gospel and alleviate their clients from the crutches of poverty. One of the speakers during this event was Darlene Zschech, a world renown, worship leader and pastor of Hillsongs Australia.

 This module was developed by the National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC) purposely to be delivered to all clients. The module was institutionalized and cascaded by the company to Sta. Cruz branch located in Zambales. This training aimed to increase the awareness of the clients and help them to be prepared for any disaster.

Adopt-A-Barangay program is a Board initiated project purposely to help develop the poorest of barangays through the non-financial services of the company. In Area-1, Gadang barangay was the poorest in the municipality of Kapangan, Benguet. The first project initiated in this barangay is to address malnutrition among the students of Gadang, Elementary School. The People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) joined the project in line with their nationwide feeding program entitled, “We Care, We Share, We Rear”.

 RSPI conducted financial analysis training for its senior managers, middle managers, branch accountants, branch cashiers and its audit staff. This training is to further equip its key personnel in analyzing financial data, financial ratios and its implications on financial decision making. The training was conducted by the BAMAPCOM President Mr. Joseph Cacal.

Retention of employees is one of the problems of organizations. Employees resign if they are no longer happy with their work. The only way to retain employees is to keep them happy at work by providing them what they deserve in terms of benefits and a good compensation package. The atmosphere in the workplace also contributes to reduce staff turn over.

 One of the products developed by RSPI is the Micro-Insurance Program (MIP). This product help clients to access formal insurance that caters to their emergency needs like the death of an immediate family member or the client themselves. This training was opened to all staff particularly the Program assistants who will be including insurance as part of their orientation program for their respective clients. This training was conducted by the Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company under Mr. Eric Falcon.

The OIKOCREDIT, one of the funders of RSPI, co-funded the program PLANET RATING for RSPI to undergo. The Board of Trustees, Senior Managers, Staff and clients participated in this process. The GIRAFE indicators were used to assess the entire organization progress. The SPM initiatives were also rated.

 The desire of RSPI to extend its programs to a bigger number of less privileged people in Luzon paved the way for the company to revisit its vision and mission. The company conducted a refresher course on understanding the business of RSPI. Employees need to internalize the vision and mission of the company and how it will be applied in the transformation programs of the organization. This training aims to rekindle and spur the commitment and the passion of the staff in helping transform the lives of the clients.

RSPI celebrated its 23 years of existence with the theme “Celebrating 23 years of Transforming Lives. This celebration reminded all employees how the company came to existence, how it was designed and how it continually realizes its vision and mission. The celebration was highlighted by a presentation of RSPI milestones for the past 23 years. It was attended by partners, funders, suppliers and friends and of course, the Board management and staff.

RSPI joins the nationwide campaign for Environmental Awareness program of the government. All branches participated in the tree planting activity being made by the local government units nationwide. Tree planting activities took place where the respective branches are located. Not only the staff of RSPI was involved in helping the LGU’s but also the clients who participated in the event. By involving the clients, they will realize that they have duties and responsibilities as members of the community regardless of their economic status in life.

RSPI conducted a 1-day training for its Transformation Volunteer Officers (TVO). The purpose of the training was to orient the TVO’s with the purpose and nature of RSPI and their role in transforming lives. This was attended by local church leaders among the different branches of the company.

Rangtay sa Pagrang-ay Year 2011

This is a yearly event being attended by RSPI in order to continually equip its leaders in the growing demands of the work environment. Different speakers with different expertise were invited to share their knowledge to encourage and inspire the participants in the different micro-finance institutions under APPEND. Another aim of this event is to strengthen the bond among  partners and see each other as partner not a competitor.

RSPI continues to support barangay Gadang, Kapangan, Benguet as part of its Adopt-A-Barangay project. Gadang is one of the barangays in the Kapangan municipality who with the highest poverty incidence report. Among the projects extended by the company to barangay Gadang is the medical and dental mission where free checkup and medicines were given to the community and also the distribution of school supplies to the entire students of Gadang Elementary School.

Every year, RSPI conducts a strategic planning to evaluate the process of the organization towards the realization of its vision, mission and to set its direction. This planning includes the Board of Trustees and the Senior Managers. This strategic plan was facilitated by Ms. Jenna Eduarte, President of SUCCESS Corporation.

The Philippines is considered the “gateway of storms” entering South East Asia. Because of this, the clients are most affected. A disaster fund is allocated for the purpose of helping clients to recover from calamities especially when their livelihood is destroyed.

Rangtay sa Pagrang-ay Year 2012 

RSPI celebrated its 25^th year anniversary. This event looked back into its early years and acknowledged its past Board of Trustees and Executive Directors thanking them for their dedication and contributions to the company. RSPI also thanked all the companies who stayed with the organization through thick and thin through all these years. Awards were also given to the staff who have rendered more than 10 years of service to RSPI.

RSPI distributed bibles to its clients as part of its transformation program. These bibles will be used for the clients’ personal spiritual development and for group bible study in their respective centers. The bible distribution project of RSPI is a yearly project of the organization to help share the Word of God to all clients.

In compliance with the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas regarding disclosure of interest to micro finance clients, RSPI held an organization-wide training to its staff on how to compute and explain to clients the declining interest method. The declining interest method is now being explained by the Branch Managers to clients every loan release.

The focus of RSPI does not rest on the client alone, but also to their respective families. Because of this, RSPI focused in designing a program that would help clients in the educational needs of their children. Since education is the primary concern of every parent, RSPI designed the Knowledge Development Program or KDP Scholarship program that would enable deserving students to pursue their college education.

Grameen Foundation came to aid RSPI particularly in improving its systems and procedures. Mrs. Estelle Martinson shared her expertise by process mapping the operations standard procedures. Because of this, standards were set helping RSPI to easily monitor and manage its loan program. 

The Microfinance Council of the Philippines Incorporated (MCPI) conducted an SPM audit to RSPI. The purpose of the audit is to determine whether the company is on the right track in its social performance program. Mrs. Lalaine Joyas headed the team of MCPI evaluating RSPI’s initiative. The result of this process helped RSPI to innovate and create more products and open avenues to help and protect its clients.

RSPI immediately held a refresher course seminar to its entire staff after the SPM assessment conducted by MCPI. Results of the team of MCPI were discussed including what strategies should be taken in order for the company to balance its financial and social performance. This refresher course was conducted by the joint efforts of the Senior Managers of the organization.

Strategic directions and methods are being paved in order for the company to reach its goals. The strategic plan was headed by Mr. Noel Alcaide, Chaiman of the Board and Ms. Jenna Eduarte, President of the SUCCESS Corp.

RSPI continues its quest to teach, train and empower its clients by its on-site trainings entitled LEAD TO LAST and TODAY MATTERS. The LEAD TO LAST module is developed by SUCCESS Corporation. It teaches about leadership and stewardship while the TODAY MATTERS module was developed by RSPI. This development training includes attitude, priorities, health, family, finance, faith and growth.

One of the programs and services of RSPI is Environmental Awareness. To strengthen the drive for environmental protection, RSPI launched a campaign involving its staff and clients to work with the government in preserving and developing its natural resources. With this endeavor, all branches of the company had a tree planting activity in their respective areas joined by the barangay officials and LGU’s.