Our Story
A microfinance programme reaching thousands of families in the rural province of Northern Samar
Northern Samar is the 12th poorest of the 79 provinces that make up the Philippines, and the poorest in the Eastern Visayas region. It is a rural province, with 65% of its population living outside cities, in villages with limited accessibility. The Philippines is the country most vulnerable to tropical cyclones, particularly between Northern Luzon and the Visayas; around 20 typhoons per year strike the Philippines. In December 2015, In December 2015, winds exceeding 115 mph destroyed 65,000 homes in the province.
In 2014, Noel Gabrito established Samar Crusade against Poverty, Inc. (SCPI) in his hometown of Catarman, Northern Samar. With support from local people enabled him to fund the trial period. The project was born out of desire to combat the loan sharks at the Catarman market by offering the same services at affordable rates.
Support from Entrepreneurs du Monde
Entrepreneurs du Monde has been working in the Philippines since 2004, and also supports another microfinance programme, SEED, operating in the slums of Manila. After several missions to assess the potential of SCPI, Entrepreneurs du Monde decided to provide technical and financial support to boost and expand their work with marginalised people in the province.
Based on the current “COSLA” system, SCPI is developing the individual responsibility group methodology promoted by Entrepreneurs du Monde. This helps to bring down all the barriers to access to loans (no financial or physical guarantees, no joint liability collateral system) and promotes the strengthening of beneficiaries’ skills to develop their income-generating activities. Groups of 15 to 30 people are offered adapted financial services (loans and savings), as well as socio-economic training and social support.
Our Team
Noel B. Gabrito
Executive Director?
Julio O. Evardone
BOT ChairAssistant Professor of Sociology and Public Administration Social Science Department,
College of Arts and Communication at University of Eastern Philippines - Main Campus, Catarman, Northern Samar
Jerwin N. Toleza
Operations Manager?
Rolando A. Basierto
Finance and Admin Manager?
Our Partners:
