CARD MRI backs Beth’s coco vinegar for ASEAN Integration
More than 2.8 million CARD MRI members nationwide including Mrs. Lilibeth “Beth” De Ocampo benefitted from the sessions conducted by CARD about the ASEAN Economic Integration.
“This is an open market,” shared Mrs. De Ocampo when asked about her thoughts on ASEAN integration. “It was discussed to us by our worker (Account Officer) during our weekly Credit with Education (CwE) sessions,” she added lauding CARD for such timely effort for its clients.
Mrs. De Ocampo is a resident of Candelaria, Quezon who is managing their family’s business, which is an organic vinegar out of coconut sap. She is also a member of CARD Bank, Inc. for nine years. CARD Bank is a microfinance-oriented rural bank and a member institution of CARD MRI.
With a P2,000 working capital loaned from CARD Bank in 2009, Mrs. De Ocampo turned her thoughts to reality. In 2011, she labeled her winning product – Beth’s Coco Vinegar.
The commitment of promoting healthy and organic products assured them that their products will be patronized by many. “Through the Mga Likha Ni Inay (MLNI), our Beth’s Coco Vinegar will be visible across the ASEAN countries,” she added with confidence.
Mrs. De Ocampo is one of the 343 MLNI regular suppliers. MLNI is the brand and marketing institution of CARD MRI. MLNI reaches out to local artisans and underprivileged rural women with world-class talents and products. Through the institution, these local artisans who are members of CARD MRI will be able to bring their products into the mainstream market.
To become a supplier of MLNI, one must be a member of any of the four financial institutions of CARD MRI – CARD, Inc., CARD Bank, Inc., CARD SME Bank, Inc. and Rizal Bank, Inc.
“I thought I will just have to pay my accounts and attend meetings in CARD. Becoming one of their many suppliers never crossed my mind. They did not only assist us financially but also made our products known to all,” teary eyed Mrs. De Ocampo shared.
On the last part of their session about the integration, Mrs. De Ocampo gladly said that CARD assured them to have series of trainings after the sessions. “They also told us that they will open hundreds of branches nationwide so we can bring our products as far as our eyes can reach,” she added.
The founder and managing director of CARD MRI, Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip then confirmed these good news to their clients. “We already set series of trainings to assist our clients in developing their products and making it competitive. These trainings are relevant to our clients as we prepare them for the ASEAN Economic Integration. Also, we already mapped areas where we can establish branches of MLNI.”
The Beth’s Coco Vinegar has its shop in Candelaria, Quezon. Their usual clients are from Laguna and Quezon provinces and some are “balik-bayan”. They also participate in various trade fairs as far as Metro Manila and supply products in many pasalubong centers.
The Beth’s Coco Vinegar were also able to help their neighbors through generating employment. Mrs. De Ocampo said that she employed at least ten people from her neighbors and she adds more if there are bulk orders.