The Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal Foundation (CCMF) was established on July 11, 1997 by Doña Consuelo Chito Madrigal, a distinguished banker and philanthropist. With the vision of helping Filipino families out of poverty, CCMF believes in philanthropy that creates productivity and charity that enables capability.

CCMF is a non-profit, non-stock corporation. It is centrally governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Dona Consuelo Chito Madrigal. An Executive Director, Ms. Anna Maria M. Gonzales, is chief executife officer (cf. Administration). CCMF uses funds dedicated for its goals and purposes primarily from the personal means of Dona Chito Madrigal. CCMF, however, welcomes matching or supplementary funds from other philanthropists, friends, charitabe and philanthropical organizations

In 2004, Dona Consuelo Chito Madrigal approved the grant for Bikol and organized the foundation's Bikol Branch to uplift the lives of the poor in the region. Bikol, 281 miles south of Manila, Philippines, is the third poorest region of the country. Data from the Philippines' National Economic Development Authority reveal that 46% of Bikol's population live below the poverty line. Of its six provinces, Masbate has the highest poverty incidence (62.8%) followed by Camarines Norte (52.7%); Catanduanes (44.7%); Camarines Sur (42.60%); Sorsogon (41.40%) and Albay (39.6%) With the regions' modest economic performance (2.87% growth), the poor will be unable to graduate from poverty.

Helping Bikol is of particular interest to Doña Chito as her late father, Don Vicente Madrigal hailed from Ligao, Albay. From humble beginnings, Don Vicente, achieved prominence and success through hard work and determination and became one of the country's richest and most influential men. At one time, he had interest in coal, oil, cement, media, shipping and real estate.

CCMF-Bikol is headed by the Archbishop of Caceres, Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, O.P.,D.D. and the President of Ateneo de Naga University, Rev. Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J. The Bikol Directors appointed Fr. Wilmer Tria as Program Manager.

 

PROGRAMS

CCMF-Bikol's programs seek to respond to the basic needs of the poor in Bikol and empower them by creating opportunities and inspiring productivity. Through locally-established partner institutions, the programs are implemented in the branch's coverage area which includes the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay and Masbate .

The programs are designed to create meaningful and positive changes in the families and in the community, in general. As envisioned by Doña Chito Madrigal, the programs revolutionize the concept of charity. Instead of the traditional dole-outs that tend to encourage dependence, the programs support initiatives and cater to individuals who are willing to become agents of sustainable change in their communities. Thus, the poor, with CCMF-Bikol's intervention, are able to fight their own poverty.

CCMF-Bikol's programs have two categories - the payback programs which consist of the housing and livelihood programs, and the non-payback programs which consist of the scholarship and capacity building.

 

Housing

With a budget of P10.5 M for the first year, the housing program finances house construction and house renovation. With many poor families deprived of decent homes, the program provides affordable housing. House construction loans are payable over a period of 15 years while the financial assistance for house renovation is payable in one year.

 

Livelihood

The livelihood program provides microfinance loans for additional capital of existing livelihood activities.

With a P3.4M budget, the program has extended livelihood loans through implementing partners, namely, Bicol Alternative and Savings Cooperative (BACASCO) in Camarines Sur; Countryside Multiline Cooperative (CMC) and Socio-Pastoral Action Center Foundation (SPACFI) in Camarines Norte; Social Action Center of Legaspi (SAC-Legazpi) in Albay and Diocese of Masbate Social Action Foundation, Inc (DIMASAFI) in Masbate. 

Presently, 1,857 livelihood loans have been extended to micro-entrepreneurs. The borrowers have operated their micro-enterprises for years but are in need of financial assistance to further strengthen their businesses. The loans enabled the borrowers to increase their capital, thereby increasing their profit. With their business becoming more stable, some have decided to expand.

 

Scholarship

The Scholarship Program provides formal educational undergraduate training in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, with its special emphasis on social entrepreneurship, to gifted but economically challenged students who are willing to join CCMF in its mission to fight poverty in Bikol. It also provides selected priests and religious who are willing to collaborate with the CCMF in poverty alleviation from the parish level an MBA in Social-Pastoral Entreneurship. The Scholarship Program is implemented by the Ateneo de Naga University, which partners with the CCMF in all its Bikol projects

 

Capacity Building

Through the capacity building program, CCMF-Bikol provides grants to support projects and activities that enhance the effectiveness of partner institutions as they implement the program. Projects include skills training and community-organizing. Grants may also be given for start-up costs and necessary equipment, as may be deemed proper.

For 2004, the program has a budget of P 3M. Thus far, the program has assisted in the establishment of the Ligao Branch of Social Action Center of Legaspi, the preliminary community organizing of Diocese of Masbate Social Action Foundation, Inc as well as the staff training of the Cooperative Countryside Multiline Cooperative.Likewise, the grant enabled the purchase of necessary equipment for Bicol Alternative and Savings and Socio-Pastoral Action Center Foundation.