By Josephine Ramos
A total of 13 media practitioners from Northern Mindanao joined the second leg of the 2026 PANAGHIUSA: CARD MRI Exposure Tour Program in Cagayan de Oro City.
The program aims to expose media practitioners to CARD MRI programs, highlighting its efforts to eradicate poverty.
“CARD MRI’s mission has always been anchored on its commitment to poverty eradication and finding ways to better serve our clients through products and services that truly respond to their needs,” said CARD MRI Publishing House President Marilyn Magampon Manila.
“We aim to work closely with like-minded media practitioners to help amplify this message and, in doing so, raise greater public awareness of the meaningful impact of microfinance in improving lives and communities,” she added.
A group of media visited CARD Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) Balulang 1A Center while another group visited the CARD SME Bank Piaping Puti Center.
During the visits, participants observed how center meetings are conducted and how financial transactions such as loan repayments, are carried out without the need to travel to offices or banks, an advantage especially to those living in far-flung areas.
Several CARD MRI offices located in Cagayan de Oro were also visited during the tour included CARD Inc., CARD SME Bank, CARD Mutual Benefit Association (CARD MBA), and CARD Pioneer Microinsurance Inc. (CPMI).
The media also had the opportunity to interact with several clients whom the organization has assisted, such as the couple, Jaime and Candelaria Bedro. They conducted a product demonstration of chicharon, a snack made from fried pork skin, and longanisa.
They also had the taste of the traditional Filipino snacks, puto maya and sikwate, prepared by Nice Nanol, a CARD SME Bank client for more than 15 years.
The itinerary also included a storytelling session for children led by CARD MRI Publishing House, featuring its children’s book Ang Lapis ni Anya. With 21 children in attendance, the activity promoted literacy and a love of reading, encouraging young learners to develop positive reading habits and reduce excessive screen time.
The media also had discussions with CARD MBA Deputy Director for Operations Janicekith Navera; CARD MBA Cluster Manager Ann Jaraine Balacuit; CARD MBA Provincial Manager Francis Ann Vargas; CARD SME Bank Area Manager Mark Ordiz; CARD SME Bank Acting Area Manager Mary Chris Momville; CARD Pioneer Provincial Leader Joycee Sanoy; CARD Pioneer FPRO Joecil Abenoja; as well as CARD Inc. Unit Managers Mary Ann Buhoy, April Jane Adecer, and Ritchel Santua.
The last media leg will be on August 2026 in Laguna.
