The Siana Golden Mothers Association, composed of beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), has gone beyond traditional livelihood programs by partnering with BDO Unibank’s Cash Agad to bring essential banking services to their community.
Empowering women through financial access
The initiative began in 2018, when a nearby mining company provided support for livelihood programs. Minda Ajoc, a dedicated mother and barangay health worker, spearheaded the formation of Siana Golden Mothers with a vision to create sustainable income opportunities.
While the group initially focused on swine production, they soon saw a bigger opportunity: becoming a Cash Agad partner agent, BDO said in a statement.
Cash Agad, BDO Unibank’s agency banking service, enables small businesses and local establishments in rural areas to function as mini-banking hubs for cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, bill payments, and other financial transactions.
By embracing this initiative, Siana Golden Mothers became the "ATM" of their community, allowing residents to access their funds without the long journey to the city, BDO said.
A lifeline for Barangay Siana
For Barangay Siana, where bank branches and ATMs are scarce, Cash Agad has become an indispensable service.
“Malaking tulong sa amin ang Cash Agad, lalo na’t malayo kami sa city. Madami itong natulungan at nabigyan ng access sa kanilang pera. Nakakatulong ito na mai-angat namin ang aming komunidad,” the statement quoted Minda Ajoc as saying. (Cash Agad has been an enormous help, especially since we live far from the city. It has helped many people access their funds, allowing us to uplift our community.)
BDO Unibank sees this as an example of financial empowerment in action.
"Our partnership with the Siana Golden Mothers Association reflects BDO’s commitment to supporting grassroots communities, especially women, who play a vital role in local progress," said Jaime Nasol, senior vice president of the Consumer Banking Group at BDO Unibank.
Expanding financial inclusion
As Siana Golden Mothers continues to grow, BDO and Cash Agad’s network of over 12,000 partner agents are exploring more ways to bring essential financial services to underserved communities.
Through this initiative, they are promoting financial stability and empowering more communities across the Philippines. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
