Senior officials from ASEAN countries, China, and Japan met in the Philippines to discuss ways to reduce rural poverty in Southeast Asia. They shared anti-poverty policies and programs from their countries. The goal was to promote economic inclusion of the poor through effective enterprises. This would encourage investment from grassroots organizations, private businesses, and state enterprises, especially in poor rural areas. The delegates visited model enterprises in Bohol, including a microfinance group and a cacao farming cooperative, to learn about initiatives that improve lives and incomes in rural communities.

1. PRESS RELEASE
June 21, 2014
Senior Officials from ASEAN Discuss Ways to End Rural Poverty
Eleven senior officials and around 30 delegates from ASEAN Member States, China, and Japan presented
anti-poverty policies, legislations, programs, and best practices from their country during the 11th
Senior
Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE) and Related Meetings.
The Philippines, through the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), hosted this year’s meeting with the
theme “Enabling Enterprise for Economic Inclusion of the Poor.”
The meeting opened this June 16, with a forum between the delegates and representatives of non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) from each respective Southeast Asian nation.
Governor Edgardo M. Chatto formally welcomed the delegates and expressed gratitude to NAPC for bringing
them to Bohol. One of Bohol’s pride, the Alicia Bamboo Ensemble, entertained the delegates. Governor
Chatto also hosted a dinner and presented Bohol’s symbolic key to the senior officials. Loboc Youth
Ambassador Band and Lungsuranon Performing Arts Group performed during the evening event and
demonstrated the ‘tinikling’ dance to the guests.
The 11th
SOMRDPE opened on June 17, with a performance from the Loboc Children’s Choir who sang the
Bohol Hymn and the ASEAN Hymn.
“We should focus on including the poor,” emphasized NAPC Secretary and Lead Convenor Joel Rocamora
during the opening event, “through effective enterprises in promoting interdependence and greater
economic growth across the region.”
NAPC Under-secretary Patrocinio Jude Esguerra III, chair of the 11th
SOMRDPE and Related Meetings, added
that, “This year’s theme emphasizes the importance that government action has played and will need to
continue to play in order to create arrangements that encourage investing and risk-taking by grassroots
organizations, by private firms and banks, and by state enterprises, most especially in places where the poor
are numerous.”
The delegates also visited two model enterprises in Bohol – the Center for Agriculture and Rural
Development, Inc. – Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD-MRI) Site in the municipality of Loon and a
Cacao Nursery Farm in the town of Carmen.
Office of the President of the Philippines
NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION
Water System Training Center, MWSS-LWUA Complex, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City

2. CARD-MRI is a micro-finance and community-based social development company that improves the quality
of life of socially and economically challenged women and families in the country.
The Cacao Nursery Farm is operated by the partnership between Carmen Samahang Nayon, Kennemer
Foods, Inc. (KFI), and Landbank. Carmen Samahang Nayon is a cooperative venture of more than 2,000 poor
farmers who take part in contract farming initiated by KFI and Landbank in Bohol. Landbank provides
financial assistance to the farmers while KFI buys up to 75% of the farmers’ produce.
Delegates had a chance to take time to visit two famous tourist spots in Bohol – the Chocolate Hills View
Deck and the Tarsier Conservation Area.
The meeting ended on June 19, capped by Evening of Solidarity featuring guest performer and musician Joey
Ayala. It was a night to sing and dance.
This article is for immediate release. For more inquiries, please contact:
Mr. Bryan G. Villasana, NAPC Communications Officer
+639272862812 www.napc.gov.ph