Rural Banks Urged To Be Creative To Survive Market Competition

Rural banks must be innovative for them to remain competitive amid the intense competition in the market.

This was the challenge hurled to them by Makato mayor Ramon Legaspi Jr during the induction of the new set of officers of the Aklan Federation of Rural Banks.

Legaspi administered the oath of office to the new set of officers.

Legaspi said that rural banks head on not only with commercial banks but also with the growing number of pawnshops and lending firms in the province.

Elected new officers of the organization are Guidon dela Cruz (Rural Bank of Malinao) - president; Laniel Refol, vice president (Rural Bank of Altavas); secretary Raul Balandra (Rural Bank of New Washington); treasurer Rosemarie Aborka (Rural Bank of Banga); Auditor Selmar Valencia (Assembly-man Rafael Legaspi Rural Bank of Aklan) and assistant secretary treasurer Ma. Luisa Angeles Miraflores (Rural Bank of Ibajay). All the executive officers are also members of the board.

Other members of the board are Atty. Gloria Masangcay of the Rural Bank of Nabas and Rey Quimpo of the Rural Bank of Balete.

Dela Cruz, during his inaugural address said that rural banks in the past are like dinosaurs because costumers often rely on them for loan and other banking needs. Their existence however was threatened because of the mushrooming of commercial banks, lending firms and pawnshops.

"We can still survive by means of extending our services and cooperation in the regional and national levels while we also try to find alternative source of services such as electronic lending and insurance," Dela Cruz said.

EPG Keen On Putting Up Center
For Tourists In Boracay

The Eminent Persons Group (EPG) is bent on establishing a Trauma Receiving Center (TRC) that will provide medical assistance to tourists who meet accidents while staying in this resort island.

Many of the accidents in the past are believed to have been due to climate change.
EPG Undersecretary Rey Dela Rosa said that they have already coordinated with the St. Luke’s Global City in Metro Manila to become partners in their endeavor. Also present in the said meeting is Jane Rossignol, director of EPG-Support Services for Health Care and proponent of the island’s trauma center project.

"During the meeting, they looked towards the Boracay Garden Hotel option because there’s already the infrastructure with only minimal renovation to do, and has excellent accessibility from anywhere on the island. That’s why we are now working out with Henry Chusuey, the hotel owner, the possibility of an arrangement between St. Luke’s and Regency Garden to put up its Trauma Receiving Center there," Dela Rosa said.

At least P2 million are reportedly needed by the EPG for the renovation of the office of the TRC. The funding will be coming from the national, provincial and local government of Malay. Dela Rosa said they are also currently soliciting funds from Tourism Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA), formerly the PTA, Department of Tourism and the Philippine Convention & Visitors Corporation (PCVC).
Recently, two Chinese tourists were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard after the sailboats they were using in touring around Boracay submerged due to the sudden change of weather. Several Korean businessmen and tourists also died and were injured because of the climate change.

Dela Rosa said they expect that tourists arrivals will rise by 10-15 percent in Boracay if the planned TRC will materialize. (PNA) /MP