Microenterprise Access to Banking Services

The field is an abundant source of information and experience for the MABS Team. We have a lot of good stories and best practices to share and we are blogging them here.

The MABS Team

John V. Owens, Chief of Party
John is the Chief of Party for MABS in the Philippines, where he has focused on planning and implementing the overall MABS Program activities, along with the rest of the MABS Team since 2001. READ MORE

Meliza H. Agabin, Deputy Chief of Party
Mely is a rural banking and microfinance specialist. With more than 28 years experience in agricultural, rural and microfinance, she is one of the pioneers of microfinance in the Philippines. Her extensive experience in management, research, surveys, and training has taken her to consulting assignments in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Yemen, and Egypt. READ MORE

Anthony P. Petalcorin, Senior MIS Manager/Regional Manager for Mindanao
Tonton completed graduate studies in Computer Science – Computer for Developmental Projects at the University of Bonn in Germany in 1993. His area of expertise includes systems development, project management, systems audit, and quality control. READ MORE

Emelita B. Rocero, Agricultural Microfinance Specialist
Emy has been with MABS for more than eight years, starting as Technical Support Manager of the Program’s Davao office for two years, where she worked closely with MABS participating banks in Mindanao on microfinance performance reports monitoring and evaluation. READ MORE

Nixon P. Mahilum, Mobile Phone Banking Specialist
Nixon has more than 16 years of professional Information Technology (IT) experience in the Philippines, Australia, and Indonesia. With MABS, he developed manuals and procedures on the mobile phone banking services for rural banks, and coordinates closely with the partner telecommunications companies in pushing forward the use of electronic money amongst rural banks. READ MORE

Ruth B. Aseron, Microinsurance Coordinator
Ruth is a development professional with over seven years of experience as a project consultant for various microfinance institutions, cooperatives, and NGO-MFIs. As Project Coordinator, she orchestrates MABS activities relevant to the enhancement of access to microinsurance products and services for lower-income clients of rural banks. READ MORE

Eulogio Martin O. Masilungan, Research and Program Monitoring Coordinator
Eo formulates and manages the research and performance monitoring components of MABS-4. He holds a Masters degree in Development Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, both from the University of the Philippines at Los Banos. READ MORE

Cheryl Lualhati B. Balingit, Special Projects Coordinator
As Special Projects Coordinator, Cheryl tracks the implementation and results of special projects and initiatives. She also administers the Program’s distance learning courses, oversees the communications activities, and assists in research and documentation. READ MORE

Mark Ambrose T. Guillermo, Microfinance & Banking Specialist for Mindanao
Mark has more than six years of solid banking experience, and has worked with United Coconut Planters Rural Bank and the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo). For MABS, Mark provides support and training to the Program’s participating banks in Mindanao. READ MORE

Daisyree C. Miranda, Communications Specialist
Dai is a seasoned copy and creative writer and a multidisciplinary artist. She writes in English and Filipino and has extensive experience in almost all forms of writing and other related tasks like research, interviewing, conceptualization, staging, and production. READ MORE