In the remote mining community of Barangay Siana, Surigao del Norte, a group of resilient mothers has transformed their livelihood programs into a vital financial lifeline for their community. The Siana Golden Mothers Association, through BDO Unibank’s Cash Agad service, has turned into a powerful example of how women entrepreneurs can lead positive change, bringing banking services to areas where access is limited.
The association, consisting of mothers from Barangay Siana and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), initially relied on government aid. However, they sought to improve their circumstances by finding business opportunities and establishing themselves as successful business owners.
The Birth of an Initiative
In 2018, when a local mining company offered support for livelihood programs, Minda Ajoc, a devoted mother and longtime community worker, joined forces with fellow mothers to establish the Siana Golden Mothers Association. They started with small ventures, like swine production, but quickly saw the potential of partnering with Cash Agad to further elevate their community.
Cash Agad, a service offered by BDO to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in rural areas, allows local businesses to provide banking services like cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, bill payments, and more through point-of-sale devices. This service turns small business owners into “Automated Tao Machines” — offering vital financial services without the need for bank branches or ATMs.
By becoming a Cash Agad agent, the Siana Golden Mothers were able to provide essential banking services while generating sustainable income for their association. This partnership has also allowed them to offer other community services like remittance and photocopying.
A Lifeline for Barangay Siana
Minda Ajoc shared the impact of Cash Agad: “Malaking tulong sa amin ang Cash Agad, lalo na’t malayo kami sa city. Madami itong natulungan at nabigyan ng access sa kanilang pera. Nakakatulong ito na mai-angat namin ang aming komunidad.” (Cash Agad has been an enormous help, especially since we live far from the city. It has helped a lot of people get access to their funds, which has enabled us to uplift our community.)
BDO’s Jaime Nasol, Senior Vice President of the Consumer Banking Group, expressed the bank’s commitment to supporting grassroots communities and women: “Our partnership with the Siana Golden Mothers Association reflects BDO’s commitment to supporting local communities, especially women, who are key to driving progress.”
Looking Ahead
With more than 12,000 partner agents, BDO and Cash Agad are committed to expanding their reach, supporting similar initiatives, and helping more communities access essential financial services. Through this partnership, the Siana Golden Mothers Association is leading the way in building financial stability and creating lasting change in Barangay Siana and beyond.
