Profile

BRIEF HISTORY

Ugyon was established by retired Col. Eduardo “Red” E. Kapunan Jr. and wife, Elsa, on June 23, 1995 and registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission on the same day as a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization (SEC Reg. No. ENO95000184).

Its original mission was to “be a catalyst of social and economic development of rural areas by providing social, technical and financial assistance to deserving rural poor and promoting the spirit of cooperativism as a way of life.” It aimed to organize/reorganize cooperatives in depressed and remote barangays and sponsor livelihood projects and reforestation programs to assist displaced farmers.

After a year, on May 1996, Ugyon embarked on a Capability-Building and Relending Project in remote barangays of Capiz in partnership with the Presidential Social Fund (PSF) under Pres. Fidel V. Ramos. Aside from organizing and supporting cooperatives with microfinance credit, Ugyon also provided skills training and value formation seminars.

On November 6, 1998, the PSF under the administration of Pres. Joseph E. Estrada helped sustain Ugyon's re-lending activities, livelihood skills training program, and rehabilitation of inactive cooperatives.

Ugyon continued partnering with PSF under Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for its expansion program to northern Iloilo. Ugyon passed all the performance and financial audits of the Presidential Management Staff.

On December 2005, Ugyon reviewed all of its projects and the findings were:

Agriculture-based cooperatives defaulted on loan payments due to erratic and unpredictable weather conditions;

• Micro-enterprises showed more promising prospects; 
• Access to capital was the most needed assistance by the enterprising poor; 
• Ugyon’s target market was limited to those already organized in the farming sector which prevented the foundation from reaching out to the wider market of unorganized farmers and fisherfolk; 
• Ugyon should move towards self-sufficiency and sustainability if it were to achieve a wider reach and deeper impact. 

Based on these findings, Ugyon’s Board decided to revisit and redirect its financial and social missions. It adopted the KABULIG microfinance group lending program based on a combo approach of Grameen, MABS (Micro Access to Banking Services), and ASA (Association of Social Advancement system).

In 2006, Ugyon entered into formal partnerships with the People's Credit and Finance Corporation, Progressive Bank, Inc. (formerly Rural Bank of Balasan) and Rustan’s Essenses Foundation, Inc. The PCFC and PBI provide short- and medium-term loans and equity for Ugyon’s microfinance portfolio. The Essenses Foundation is Ugyon’s partner in women’s rights advocacy (the Essenses Foundation closed operations in 2009).

MEMBER of
Visayas Association of Microfinance Institutions (VAMI)

ACCREDITED by
People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC)
Presidential Management Staff (PMS)

VISION

A microfinance NGO that uplifts the quality of life of the poor through service excellence.

MISSION

To be a reliable provider of microfinance services and business support programs for the economic empowerment of the enterprising poor in urban and rural communities.

VALUES

• God-centered 
• Exemplary public service through social entrepreneurship 
• Service excellence and teamwork 
• Integrity 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Juanito P. Militante Jr................Chairman 

Fr. Alan G. Sta. Maria..............Member
Marie Michelle J. Jalandoni.......Member
Joseph Martin Raul P. Yap.......Member
Rodolfo E. Eco........................Member (ex-officio)

Executive Committee

Juanito P. Militante Jr................President
Del Amor R. Vales....................Secretary
Marie Michelle J. Jalandoni........Treasurer
Rodolfo E. Eco..........................Executive Director

OFFICERS

Rodel B. Vargas........................Area Head (Capiz)
Aneelen S. Malco......................Area Head (Guimaras & Antique)
Agnes F. Arinque.......................Branch Manager, Roxas City (Capiz)
Randy A. Bañes.........................Branch Manager, Dumalag (Capiz)
Arnel B. Gamos.........................Branch Manager, Mambusao (Capiz)
Richard A. Cortes......................OIC-BM, Jordan (Guimaras)
Jovelyn J. Mirasol......................Branch Manager, Buenavista (Guimaras)
Robert A. Pacardo....................Branch Manager, Sibalom (Antique)
Nafy A. Becera.........................Branch Manager, Barbaza (Antique)
Micelle C. Unlayao....................Branch Manager, Culasi (Antique)