Continuing the mission towards financial inclusivity through Globe Business

According to the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), there are over 18,000 cooperatives around the country whom 11.6 million Filipinos depend on for financial support, especially during critical times. As the majority of them continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic, Globe Business aims to help them get back on track immediately and prepare for the future through the power of digital solutions.

One cooperative that continues to trust Globe Business in its digital adoption is Pantukan Chess Club Multipurpose Cooperative (PCCMPC). It is one of the largest cooperatives in the southern part of Davao Region that supports over 7,000 microenterprises, giving them easy and stable access to credit to sustain their livelihood, and other financial services, such as insurance and savings, to help members achieve financial freedom and flexibility.

From a sports club, founded by Dr. Agapito B. Hornido, that regularly gathered to play their cherished board game three decades ago, PCCMPC has blossomed into a 50,000-strong cooperative, serving as a financial lifeline to many local communities in Davao De Oro, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte.

However, it was like any other organization that grappled with the massive disruption brought about by the pandemic. But with the help of Globe Business, it quickly gathered its bearings and adapted to the demands of the times, showing fellow cooperatives that with the right digital tools and solutions, they can overcome hurdles and thrive in the current situation.

Globe Business Solutions to Fuel Your Cooperative’s Road to Recovery and Success

During the lengthy lockdowns and restricted mobility at the start of the pandemic, PCCMPC managers struggled to find ways to connect with their members and continue with their operations. But Globe Business was quick to empower them with digital solutions to immediately address their challenges, which included the following:

1. Ease of Communication to Members

To easily communicate with its members and other branches in the province, PCCMPC used Globe Business’ internet connectivity and AMBER Text Blast solution.

“With AMBER, we can send messages to thousands of members easily at the same time, informing them of important announcements and notifications about our upcoming activities, loan payment reminders, and recruitment efforts to keep everyone engaged at all times,” said Ms. Feraldine Baño Revisa, General Manager of Pantukan Chess Club Multipurpose Cooperative.

AMBER is Globe Business’ automated text blasting. platform that allows businesses and organizations to communicate quickly, conveniently, and easily with their employees and customers from all networks via SMS.

2. Continuous Operations Despite Limited Physical Interactions

Meanwhile, to ensure business continuity, Globe Business enabled PCCMPC with Google Workspace’s suite of applications, giving them access to professional email, collaboration tools, and Google Meet for virtual meetings, reducing business interruptions and improving productivity in the workplace.

“Through Google Workspace, we can now communicate with our branches faster, easily collect and consolidate reports, and even hold our meetings virtually so that our staff from other branches in different municipalities do not need to travel 4-6 hours for our meetings,” said Ms. Revisa.

Driving Digital Transformation Among Cooperatives For More Inclusive Financial Services

According to the Philippine Country Study on “What Difference Do Cooperatives Make?” by the International Cooperative Research Group of the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council, cooperatives in the Philippines make a significant economic difference in the lives of the large majority of its members and also contribute significantly to their overall well-being.

“Our goal at PCCMPC is to uplift the lives of our members and reach those from the grassroots that do not have access to banks and other financial services. We are happy that our partnership with Globe Business enables us to continue our commitment to them through the digital solutions they offer,” said Revisa

By supporting local cooperatives and forging partnerships with financial institutions, Globe Business seeks to bring financial inclusion to more Filipinos who continue to be unbanked. It also recognizes the vital role that cooperatives play in the Philippine economy, particularly in job creation, poverty reduction and social integration.

“We continue to bring innovation within reach of the finance service sector to help them reinvent the way they operate in a digital economy and provide infinite opportunities for growth and success to the communities they serve,” said Bradley Pineda, Globe Business Segment Head for the Finance Industry.

PCCMPC was sealed as a FOCCUS-branded cooperative in 1997, which means they are a Finance Organization achieving Certified Credit Union Standards. Being part of that group certifies the cooperative for achieving and maintaining the International Prudential Standards for safe, sound, and sustainable cooperative business organizations.