JVOFI envisions to become the leading institution in the formation of self-reliant communities capable of harnessing resources for equitable development. Guided by the principle of wholistic human development and with utmost concern for the environment, the Foundation shall uplift the sense of dignity of the Filipino communities it serves.
It started its activities by operating and implementing development projects in areas near the operations of the corporations. By late 1980s it started to operate in other areas needing development assistance. In 1997, the Foundation became financially independent from Benguet Corporation.
JVOFI is duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). As a non-stock, non-profit organization, the Foundation works in partnership with local and foreign donors, business corporations, government agencies, other NGOs and people’s organizations in pursuing development programs within its target communities.
PROGRAMS
The Foundation adopts a Strategic Area Management Approach with a well-defined geographic focus. The Foundation works in close partnership with its target communities, government, business and other development organizations. Currently, the Foundation implements the following core programs in Northern Luzon:
Enterprise Development
Promote the enhancement of income generating or livelihood projects through microfinance, technical assistance and institutional development.
Ecological Enhancement
Promote the conservation, protection and rational management and utilization of critical ecological resources.
Resource Management
Make available the required financial resources for the Foundation to pursue its mandate. This is achieve through fund sourcing, training, consultancy, and asset management.
Internal Capacity Building
Provide adequate support for improving staff competencies, design appropriate management systems and making available the required logistics.
MICROFINANCE PROJECT
Over a decade ago, the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc. launched the Microfinance Project. It aims to promote economic growth, reduce poverty, support human development and improve the status of enterprising poor women, as its target sector, through small loans which helped them achieve financial stability. The project provides savings services with 7% interest per annum. Covered areas are Atok, Baguio City, Bokod, Itogon, La Trinidad, Tuba and Tublay. Using the Bangladesh’s Association for Social Advancement (ASA) methodology, more and more small businesses of enterprising women were financed.
ASA methodology includes savings, loans, and mutual aid among clients of the microfinance project. Through this, they were able to secure loans with small interest to expand their small businesses and save money at the same time. Since then, the number of active clients increased and the financial performance improved.
As of June 2011, the project already achieved the following:
